Lansar Auto: Primature Senegal Illegally Acquired Seized Vehicles

• Lansar Auto alleges that 27 judicially seized vehicles were acquired by the Primature under former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.
• The company claims that only 2-3 vehicles remain registered to Lansar Auto, with 17 now registered to third parties and 10 untraceable.
• Lansar Auto disputes the legality of these transfers, stating the judicial seizure procedure was incomplete at the time of cession.
• Allegations include vehicles being sold for significantly less than their estimated value, with some valued at 80 million CFA francs reportedly going for 30 million CFA francs.
• The President of the Forum du Justiciable called for legal explanations and an investigation into the procedural regularity, questioning ONRAC's role.

The company maintains that the vehicles in question were under judicial seizure, and crucially, the judicial procedure had not reached its conclusion at the time of their purported cession.

A recent press conference held at the premises of Lansar Auto has brought renewed attention to the ongoing Affaire Lansar Auto, raising significant questions about the fate of vehicles that were subject to judicial seizure. Officials from Lansar Auto voiced strong objections to the circumstances under which numerous vehicles, originally belonging to their company, were reportedly transferred, re-registered under different names, or have since become untraceable. The company's representatives highlighted concerns regarding the legal propriety of these transactions, particularly given the vehicles' status.

Central to these allegations is the purported acquisition of a substantial number of vehicles by the Primature. According to Gorgui Dia, a total of 27 vehicles were allegedly purchased by the Primature during the tenure of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Dia further asserted that, of this significant lot, only two to three vehicles currently remain registered in Lansar Auto's name. He explained that a considerable portion of these vehicles were subsequently re-registered under the names of private individuals and various companies, contributing to the current dispute. In total, 17 vehicles are now reportedly registered to third parties, while an additional ten vehicles are presently difficult to locate, as stated by Lansar Auto officials.

Lansar Auto is vehemently challenging the legality and conditions surrounding these alleged transfers. The company maintains that the vehicles in question were under judicial seizure, and crucially, the judicial procedure had not reached its conclusion at the time of their purported cession. This raises fundamental questions from Lansar Auto regarding the legal foundation that permitted the transfer and subsequent registration of these assets to new owners, forming the core of the Lansar Auto legal challenge.

Adding to the controversy, officials from Lansar Auto also claim that some vehicles were transferred at prices significantly below their estimated market value. They cited instances where vehicles with an estimated global value of at least 80 million CFA francs were allegedly ceded for amounts closer to 30 million CFA francs. Babacar Ba, President of the Forum du Justiciable, weighed in during the press briefing, declaring that such actions would constitute "banditry" if no judicial order authorized the transfers. He publicly demanded explanations regarding the legal basis for the contested operations and called upon the Keeper of the Seals to investigate the regularity of the entire procedure, highlighting potential Senegal judicial seizure irregularities.

The controversy extends to the role of the National Office for the Management of Seized and Confiscated Assets (ONRAC) in the management of these judicially seized vehicles. Interveners at the press conference questioned ONRAC's involvement, demanding full transparency regarding the ultimate destination of the vehicles and any sales operations that may have occurred. This ONRAC vehicle management dispute underscores the broader need for clarity and accountability in the handling of assets under legal constraint.

The ongoing Ousmane Sonko vehicle scandal, particularly concerning the Primature vehicle acquisition legality, signals a critical need for legal and compliance professionals in Senegal to meticulously examine the legal basis and procedural adherence for the transfer and disposal of judicially seized assets. The allegations, if substantiated, could lead to significant legal challenges and reputational risks for all entities and officials involved in transactions where proper judicial process is called into question, emphasizing the importance of rigorous oversight in such matters.

This case highlights the critical importance for legal and compliance professionals in Senegal to scrutinize the legal basis and procedural adherence for the transfer and disposal of judicially seized assets. It signals potential legal challenges and reputational risks for entities and officials involved in transactions where proper judicial process is questioned.

Source: Original reporting via L'As