The Libyan Public Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the detention of Khalifa Abdul Sadiq, the Minister of Oil and Gas in the Government of National Unity, on allegations of financial corruption.
The office detailed that Abdul Sadiq allegedly coerced an accounting official to approve a document permitting the improper transfer of €457.6 million to a foreign company, violating national legislations.
Investigations revealed that the minister engaged in behaviors that conflicted with his official duties.
Abdul Sadiq was appointed by Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibah in March as the head of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, in addition to his role as a deputy minister, following the Administrative Control Authority’s decision to suspend the previous minister, Mohamed Aoun, for legal breaches that harmed the public interest.
With the Public Prosecutor’s recent decision to detain Minister Khalifa Abdul Sadiq and his office manager due to these functional discrepancies, Aoun’s imminent return to his post seems increasingly likely.
Aoun had ceased his ministerial duties last month pending further notice.
Aoun recently released a statement detailing the ongoing crisis with Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba. He criticized Dbaiba for ignoring his reinstatement to the ministry and called for a clear decision on his position—either to correct the situation or formally dismiss him from his role as Minister of Oil and Gas.
In his statement, Aoun recounted the circumstances surrounding his temporary suspension from duties on March 25 by the Administrative Control Authority. This suspension was lifted on May 28, allowing him to resume his responsibilities.
Aoun highlighted the lack of communication from the PM’s office, noting that his calls and correspondences have gone unanswered and that he has been unable to secure meetings with the PM.
