Jeune Afrique: Police Officer Trained in Netherlands Leads Way in Solving “Sahara Escobar” Scandal
BY: Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In the wake of the “Sahara Escobar” scandal, names like Said El Naciri, Mohamed Baoui, and Latifa Raafat have emerged as central figures. However, according to “Jeune Afrique,” another significant player in this affair is Abdellatif Wahbi, the former Minister of Justice and Secretary-General of Morocco’s Authenticity and Modernity Party. Wahbi, who actively pursued legal action against bloggers and activists, strategically avoided direct mention of his name in connection with the case.
Appointed as Minister of Justice in Aziz Akhannouch’s government on October 8, 2021, Wahbi swiftly withdrew a proposed law on penalties, notably one targeting illicit enrichment. His ties to the Authenticity and Modernity Party, where he served as Secretary-General from February 2020 to February 2024, positioned him as a key influencer, particularly in the embezzlement case involving Baoui.
In the unfolding “Sahara Escobar” saga, a Malian drug trafficker implicated prominent Moroccan figures in sports and politics, leading to their incarceration in Casablanca’s “Akasha” prison. Moroccan police officer Noureddine Najeh, tasked with investigating the case, conducted extensive interviews with the Malian detainee, leveraging his expertise in drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and financial crimes.
Najeh’s international training, including a stint in the Netherlands where he liaised with law enforcement agencies combating international drug trade, provided valuable insights. Described as an astute investigator with a knack for analysis, Najeh played a crucial role in uncovering the truth behind the “Sahara Escobar” scandal.
Overseeing the legal proceedings is Salah Tizari, the Attorney General of the Court of Appeal in Casablanca. Known for his previous work in Marrakech and Laayoune, Tizari’s appointment underscores his expertise in handling corruption cases, including those involving high-profile individuals like Mohamed Mubdi.
Latifa Raafat, the well-known Moroccan singer, was briefly married to the Malian for a period of four months in 2013. During their brief union, the man, who portrayed himself as a wealthy investor, proposed to Raafat just two weeks after their initial encounter. He frequently stayed at her residence in Rabat and organized various gatherings there, including one event where Said El Naciri may have been offered a substantial sum of money in exchange for his assistance in smuggling 15 tons of hashish. Throughout the legal inquiry, Raafat acknowledged the relationship between the two men but maintained her innocence, asserting that she had no knowledge of the activities attributed to the individual associated with Mali.
In summary, the “Sahara Escobar” scandal has brought to light a web of connections involving prominent political figures, law enforcement officials, and even cultural icons, underscoring the complex nature of the case and the painstaking efforts required to unravel its intricacies.
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