Ousmane Sonko, the President of the National Assembly, is seeking detailed information regarding the scope of the judicial proceedings mentioned by the Minister of Justice. These proceedings pertain to land allocation operations that are the subject of a proposed parliamentary inquiry commission. Without sufficient evidence confirming that the legal process encompasses all relevant facts, the parliamentary institution intends to continue its investigations.

During the recent plenary session that saw the ratification of six resolutions aimed at creating parliamentary inquiry commissions, Ousmane Sonko confirmed receiving two communications from the Minister of Justice. He stated, “Should we not receive more precise details regarding a judicial procedure covering these matters, the National Assembly will be compelled to proceed with its work through the parliamentary inquiry commissions.”

The President of the National Assembly clarified that the initial response from the Minister referred to a judicial investigation concerning land allocations situated around the airport, specifically near the pilgrims’ hangar. Deeming this information insufficient, he emphasized that he had formally requested further specifics. “I asked him for it in the letter I wrote to him,” Sonko explained. A subsequent response reportedly indicated an investigation conducted by the National Gendarmerie’s Research Section, initiated at the financial prosecutor’s request. The report from this investigation has reportedly been finalized.

However, Ousmane Sonko expressed concerns that this existing judicial procedure might not cover the entirety of the land allocation operations targeted by the proposed resolution, particularly those affecting the coastal zone. It is a known principle that an active judicial procedure concerning the same facts typically precludes the establishment or continuation of parliamentary inquiry commission work. Therefore, the immediate challenge lies in precisely defining the boundaries of the ongoing legal process. Sonko reiterated his warning: “If we do not receive more extensive details,” the National Assembly will press ahead with its mandate. This would allow the inquiry commission to continue its investigations into any operations not covered by the existing judicial procedure.