The National Office for the Recovery of Criminal Assets (ONRAC) seized 700 million CFA francs in cash and 1 billionCFA francs in kind in 6 months of exercise. These « convincing and promising results » are the result of awareness-raising work carried out since the start of its activities.« Convincing and promising results! »The magistrate, MorNdiaye, put away his duty of reserve to comment on the balance sheet of the National Office for the Recovery of Criminal Assets (ONRAC) after only 6 months of exercise.« In cash, Onrac‘s credit balance at the Deposits and Consignment Fund (Cdc) is about 700 million CFA francs.For assets in kind, we estimate more than one billion CFA francs, » he said.This made the Director General of Onrac say: « We can be satisfied with the work that has been done so far.Because ONRAC was created on July 23, 2021, but it did not become operational until April 2022. »If Onrac has been so successful in such a short time, it is thanks to the actions carried out by its agents, according to its Director.« We have done awareness-raising work on the provisions of ONRAC and we have seen the beginning of appropriation.This has yielded these convincing and promising results.Onrac was created to fight against economic and financial crime, and organized crime.The confiscation penalty is not often imposed, yet it is a formidable weapon in the fight against organized crime.After our first workshop with justice actors, seizures are made and confiscation sentences pronounced, « said MorNdiaye.Needless to say, Onrac is a public institution of an administrative nature.It was created to manage property seized or confiscated in criminal proceedings.It also ensures the centralised management of the sums that are seized in the criminal proceedings, as well as the sums resulting from the alienation of property entrusted to these structures.Onrac receives a mandate from the judicial authorities to manage the assets issued in the context of criminal proceedings.It has an account at the Deposits and Consignments Fund (Cdc).The purpose is that the sums fill the coffers of the State.It also has the mission to compensate the victims.If the victim claims damages and the debtor is not solvent, it is Onrac that will compensate them on the seized property.ONRAC has a mission to assist the judicial authorities and investigative authorities.« We sometimes proceed to the restitution of property, because not every criminal procedure always results in a conviction, » the Director added yesterday at a workshop with the German Cooperation.The objective of this meeting is to share the German experience to further perfect the Senegalese system.An action plan between Irz and Onrac to intensify cooperation between the two institutions is in the making.
By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH