Babacar Ba: OFNAC, PJF Urged to Probe Programme Ordinateurs

• Babacar Ba, president of the Forum du justiciable, has called for OFNAC or the PJF to investigate the "Un étudiant, un ordinateur" program.
• This demand follows a parliamentary inquiry that began with the audition of a former Ministry of Higher Education official.
• An ARCOP coordinator testified that the procurement process for the computers, involving two contracts totaling 5.708 billion FCFA excluding taxes, used an unsuitable call for expressions of interest.
• Ba advocates for a diligent, independent, and transparent financial investigation by judicial police officers trained in economic delinquency.
• His statement was published on X on October 6, 2026.

This direct appeal from Babacar Ba for OFNAC or PJF involvement underscores a growing demand for rigorous oversight of public spending, particularly concerning the programme ordinateurs.

Babacar Ba, who presides over the Forum du justiciable, has publicly called for a comprehensive financial investigation into the "Un étudiant, un ordinateur" program. This demand comes amidst an ongoing parliamentary inquiry into the initiative, which commenced on a Monday with the testimony of a former high-ranking official from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. Ba specifically urged either the National Office for the Fight Against Fraud and Corruption (OFNAC) or the Financial Judicial Pool (PJF) in Senegal to take up the case.

He emphasized the necessity for such an inquiry to be conducted with utmost diligence, independence, and transparency, highlighting the alleged irregularities in the program's management. This direct appeal from Babacar Ba for OFNAC or PJF involvement underscores a growing demand for rigorous oversight of public spending, particularly concerning the programme ordinateurs.

The call for a specialized financial probe follows revelations made during the parliamentary hearing. The coordinator of the investigation unit at the Regulatory Authority for Public Procurement (ARCOP) testified the day prior to Babacar Ba's statement, detailing significant issues within the computer acquisition process. Her testimony indicated that the specific call for expressions of interest utilized for the procurement was fundamentally unsuitable for the nature of the market.

These irrégularités marchés publics are central to the concerns raised. According to information presented during this crucial audition, the two contracts under scrutiny collectively amounted to 5.708 billion FCFA, exclusive of taxes, pointing to substantial public funds involved in the potentially flawed procurement.

Babacar Ba's insistence on the involvement of OFNAC or the Pool judiciaire financier Sénégal stems from the nature of the alleged infractions. He argues that the identified irregularities in the program's administration warrant investigations by judicial police officers who possess specialized training in financial investigations and economic delinquency. These agencies are equipped to handle complex cases of enquête financière corruption Sénégal, ensuring that any potential misconduct is thoroughly examined by experts.

The parliamentary inquiry, while important, may not have the same investigative powers or specialized expertise as these dedicated anti-corruption and financial crime bodies, making their intervention crucial for a complete and credible resolution.

The public statement by Babacar Ba Forum du justiciable, published on X on October 6, 2026, signals a critical juncture for public accountability in Senegal. The ongoing parliamentary scrutiny of the Programme Un étudiant un ordinateur, coupled with the explicit demand for a financial investigation by OFNAC or PJF, highlights a heightened risk environment for public sector contractors and officials.

This situation could lead to formal investigations, potential charges, or stricter regulatory oversight, compelling legal and compliance professionals to proactively review their clients' public procurement processes and anti-corruption compliance frameworks. The outcome of these investigations will undoubtedly shape future expectations for transparency and integrity in government projects.

This call for a financial investigation by OFNAC or PJF into alleged irregularities in a major public procurement program signals a heightened risk environment for public sector contractors and officials in Senegal. Lawyers and compliance officers should proactively review their clients' public procurement processes and anti-corruption compliance, as this could lead to formal investigations, charges, or stricter regulatory oversight.

Source: Original reporting via Senegal7