Former Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga has been taken into custody as part of an investigation into alleged embezzlement and financial irregularities involving the Prime Minister’s office and the Universal Access Fund (AGEFAU).
The move follows an August 1, 2025, hearing prompted by findings from the Office of the Auditor General, which cited questionable public spending, inflated mission expenses, and non-transparent contract awards.
Specific allegations include spending 15 million CFA francs on a single-day ceremony despite a legal ceiling of 75,000 CFA francs per day, as well as irregular management of the AGEFAU Fund.
Maïga, who chaired the AGEFAU board, is being held alongside former chief of staff Professor Issiaka Ahmadou Singaré and three former administrative and financial directors of the Prime Minister’s office.
His lawyer insists he remains presumed innocent and is being treated respectfully by investigators.
The investigation comes months after Maïga’s dismissal in November 2024, which followed his public criticism of the military-led government over its decision to extend the political transition without government consultation.
