Morocco Corruption Trial of Former Minister Mbadie Delayed Again Due to Absent Defendants
Casablanca, Morocco – The corruption trial of Mohamed Mbadie, former Minister of Public Service and Administrative Modernization and former mayor of Fkih Ben Salah, has been delayed once again. The postponement, announced on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, comes as several defendants failed to appear before the Casablanca Court of Appeal.
Presiding Judge Ali Tarachi rescheduled the hearing for October 17th, 2024, marking the latest delay in a case that has been plagued by postponements since Mbadie’s arrest in November 2020. The court has ordered the Public Prosecutor’s office to summon the absent defendants, who are currently out on bail.
Mbadie, a prominent figure in the Popular Movement party, faces a slew of charges including embezzlement of public funds, abuse of influence, bribery, and forgery of official documents. The charges stem from a complaint filed by the Moroccan Association for the Protection of Public Funds in the Casablanca-Settat region.
The complaint alleges that during his time as mayor of Fkih Ben Salah, Mbadie engaged in a pattern of corrupt practices, including:
Misappropriation of public funds: Diverting funds for personal gain or unauthorized purposes.
Illegal enrichment: Accumulating wealth through illicit means.
Violation of public procurement law: Circumventing regulations to favor specific companies.
Rigging bids: Manipulating the bidding process to ensure contracts are awarded to chosen parties.
Inflating invoices: Submitting false invoices to claim more money than what was actually earned.
Payment for uncompleted work: Authorizing payments for projects that were not finished or never started.
These allegations point to a systemic issue of corruption within Morocco. Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Morocco 72nd out of 180 countries, highlighting the persistent challenges the nation faces in tackling graft.
The repeated delays in Mbadie’s trial raise concerns about the effectiveness of Morocco’s justice system in holding powerful individuals accountable. Public frustration is mounting as citizens demand transparency and swift action against corruption, which undermines public trust and hinders economic development.
The upcoming hearing on October 17th will be crucial in determining the future of this high-profile case. Whether the court can proceed with the trial and deliver a just verdict remains to be seen. The outcome will undoubtedly have significant implications for the fight against corruption in Morocco.
