Former Minister of Sports and former CEO of the Senegalese National Lottery (Lonase), Lat Diop, is at the heart of an investigation into corruption charges related to 1XBet Senegal. Placed in police custody at the Criminal Investigation Division (DIC), he is suspected of having received a sum of 5 billion CFA francs, denounced by Mouhamed Dieng, former administrator of the online betting platform. The latter claims that Lat Diop allegedly used part of this sum to acquire property, including a property in Grenoble, France.
However, the former director of Lonase categorically rejected these accusations, calling Dieng’s remarks mere “denunciations”. He maintains that if financial irregularities had existed, they would have been detected by the competent control authorities. Lat Diop, however, admitted to having received a sum of 5 million CFA francs from 1XBet, specifying that this money was intended for the Guédiawaye Football Club, of which 1XBet is the official sponsor and of which he himself is the owner.
Despite these explanations, investigators confronted Lat Diop with WhatsApp exchanges provided by Mouhamed Dieng as well as various incriminating documents. The main person concerned maintains his defense and firmly denies any connection with the purchase of a property in Grenoble. “I have never owned property in France, and I have never set foot in Grenoble,” he declared.
Insured by a team of renowned lawyers, including Mes Souleymane Diagne, El Hadji Diouf, and Cheikh Amadou Ndiaye, Lat Diop now faces serious charges, including “embezzlement of public funds and money laundering.” Me El Hadji Diouf, his main lawyer, stressed that the accusations must be based on solid evidence.
At the same time, the question of the confrontation with Mouhamed Dieng, a key point in the investigation, arises. The latter, currently outside Senegal, could be summoned in the coming days for a confrontation with Lat Diop. According to sources close to the case, this step is crucial to clarify the allegations of corruption and allow investigators to clarify the situation.
Lat Diop’s lawyers insist on the importance of this confrontation, believing that it is essential to dispel any doubt and shed light on the truth in this complex case. Although it has not yet been organized, the judicial authorities seem to be preparing for it, although Mouhamed Dieng’s presence abroad complicates the situation. It remains to be seen whether he will be available to face the accusations face to face.
