The source, which quoted security sources, reported that the minister was held in custody in the Kollo prison, after the examining magistrate of the economic and financial hall of the Supreme Court of Niamey adopted such a decision.

The alleged embezzlement of monetary resources, about 4.5 million euros, according to estimates, is related to the previous management by the official, known as Hama Zada, when he was in charge of the Mining Heritage Company, the court stated.

The enterprise is in charge of managing the State’s shareholdings in mining companies that operate in the national territory.

Other publications, including ActuNiger, pointed out that according to the public prosecutor’s office, several billions of CFA francs in fixed-term deposits also disappeared in the Taanadi S.A. microfinance institution.

Zada’s imprisonment comes amid a campaign against corruption launched by the Government of President Mohamed Bazoum.

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