In a press conference held at its Yoff headquarters on September 23, Lansar Auto's legal and tax advisor, Me Gorgui DIA, revealed that a portion of the company's automobile assets had been sold, registered under third-party names, or simply disappeared. The company is contesting the sale of 27 vehicles seized by the National Office for the Recovery of Criminal Assets (ONRAC) at the Prime Minister's Office. According to Me DIA, only 17 of these vehicles were registered under the public administration, while the remaining 10 were registered under private companies and individuals.
Me DIA stated that Lansar Auto possesses the exact identities of the individuals and companies listed on the vehicle registration cards and requested that the authorities urgently clarify the situation. The company claims that the transaction is tainted with illegality, as the Public Procurement Code prohibits state ministries and institutions from purchasing used vehicles, requiring instead the acquisition of new vehicles from authorized dealerships. This code is a critical aspect of the dispute, as Lansar Auto argues that the sale was conducted in contravention of these regulations.
Lansar Auto disputes the official count of vehicles, stating that 97 vehicles were initially seized, compared to 88 recorded by ONRAC. Out of the total, 30 vehicles were sold during three public auctions for a total of 936.5 million CFA francs, significantly less than the company's estimated value of 1.514 billion CFA francs. The company's advisor expressed concerns over the discrepancy in the count and the valuation of the vehicles sold.
Regarding the remaining vehicles, Lansar Auto reported that 21 were returned to the Directorate of Material and Administrative Transit, while 27 were sold directly to the Prime Minister's Office. The company also stated that it is unable to account for the remaining 10 vehicles and demanded the publication of the sales protocols. This lack of transparency has contributed to the company's concerns about the legitimacy of the sales process.
The case against Lansar Auto dates back to January 13, 2025, when its general director, Mahmadane SARR, was detained on charges of association with criminals, public funds embezzlement, forgery, and money laundering, totaling over 13.6 billion CFA francs. The company's defense argues that the financial transactions in question primarily relate to the fractional payment for services rendered to the state, rather than misappropriation. This context is essential to understanding the motivations behind the company's actions.
Lansar Auto claims a total receivable of nearly 26 billion CFA francs from the state and its subdivisions, with approximately 24.4 billion CFA francs owed by the Ministry of Finance and Budget alone. The company's advisor emphasized that the seized vehicles were part of its assets and that their sale without due process has caused significant financial losses. The company's financial interests have been significantly impacted by the transactions in question.
The controversy surrounding Lansar Auto highlights issues of transparency and accountability in Senegal's public procurement processes. The company's demands for clarification and return of its vehicles have sparked concerns about the management of state assets and the adherence to regulatory frameworks in government transactions. The case is set to draw further attention to the complexities of public-private interactions in Senegal. Key issues at stake include the legitimacy of the vehicle sales and the company's outstanding receivables from the state.
Key points
- Lansar Auto disputes the sale of 27 vehicles to private parties and individuals.
- The company claims that the transaction was conducted in contravention of the Public Procurement Code.
- Lansar Auto demands the publication of sales protocols for the seized vehicles.
