West Africa: Senegal's Launches Specialised Court to Address Economic Crimes

19 September 2024
The Point (Banjul)
By Isatou Ceesay Bah

In a significant move to strengthen its fight against financial misconduct, Senegal has launched the Financial Judicial Pool (PJF), a specialised court designed to address modern economic crimes.

Officially inaugurated by Minister of Justice Ousmane Diagne, this new legal body replaces the Court for the Repression of Illicit Enrichment (CREI) and aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and justice across the nation. It will be presided over by 27 magistrates.

According to Gambia Journal an online platform, on Tuesday, in Dakar, Senegal's Minister of Justice, Ousmane Diagne, presided over the inauguration of the Financial Judicial Pool (PJF). Established to handle economic and financial crimes with greater efficiency, the PJF marks a pivotal shift in Senegal's approach to combating corruption, fraud, and financial misconduct.

Replacing the 1981-founded Court for the Repression of Illicit Enrichment (CREI), the PJF has a broader mandate, addressing a range of issues, including embezzlement, counterfeiting, public procurement violations, cybercrime, terrorism financing, and more. The Minister stressed the PJF's role in tackling challenges posed by globalisation, technological advances, and international criminal networks.

"Today's criminal networks transcend borders," Diagne said, emphasising the importance of specialised judicial mechanisms to effectively combat modern economic crime.

The creation of the PJF stems from a law passed on August 2, 2023, and represents the government's commitment to promoting good governance and accountability. The court is established within the Dakar High Court of Appeal and operates with national jurisdiction, collaborating closely with bodies like the Court of Auditors and the National Office for the Fight Against Fraud and Corruption.

During the installation ceremony, key appointments were announced, including El Hadji Alioune Abdoulaye Sylla as Financial Public Prosecutor and Idrissa Diarra as President of the College of Financial Investigating Judges. Their leadership will be central to ensuring justice in cases of economic misconduct, Diagne added.

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