(Ecofin Agency) - Last Tuesday, the judicial police conducted a search at the headquarters of the Areva nuclear group in France. This was confirmed by the group itself, which however did not provide the reasons for the operation.

However, many sources claim that the search falls under a preliminary investigation concerning a shady sale of uranium from Niger. 

The case goes way back to 2012 but was made public by the Niger press last February. It involves the sale of 5,000 tons of Niger’s uranium, to which are associated Areva, Russian, Lebanese firms as well as Niger’s minister of finance, Hassoumi Massaoudou, formerly head of cabinet of President Mahamadou Issoufou. 

Niger’s parliament took hold of the case through an investigation commission, but did not follow up with the allegations against M. Massaoudou.