Mauritius - February 2025

On 15 February, Mauritius’ Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) arrested former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on money laundering charges, marking an escalation of Mauritian authorities’ investigations into alleged corruption under Jugnauth’s administration, which spanned from 2017 to 2024. His arrest, along with that of two prominent business people and a deputy mayor, came after the FCC said it had seized suitcases of cash and luxury watches from a number of locations, including the former Prime Minister’s home. In January, authorities arrested and charged the former Bank of Mauritius governor with conspiracy to commit fraud, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal disbursements from an investment company owned by the Bank. This investigation is also reported to be looking into other high-profile individuals, including the former finance minister, Renganaden Padayachy.    

Sources: Mauritius Times, The Africa Report, Jeune Afrique, Barron's