Amanze Chinonye
An Ecuadorian court has convicted former President Lenín Moreno over allegations that he accepted bribes linked to the construction of the country’s largest hydroelectric facility by Chinese state-owned company Sinohydro.
Join our WhatsApp Channel
Moreno, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, was among four Ecuadorian nationals found guilty in the corruption case surrounding the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric project, the country’s Attorney General’s Office said.
READ ALSO :
Prosecutors allege that about $76 million in bribes were paid in connection with the project, equivalent to roughly 4% of its construction cost.
The alleged scheme dates to 2007-2013, when Moreno was vice president under then-President Rafael Correa. Moreno later succeeded Correa as president with his backing, but the two men became political rivals after Moreno took office.
Moreno subsequently moved away from Correa’s political agenda and pursued closer ties with the United States.
The Quito court had not announced Moreno’s sentence following Friday’s verdict. Prosecutors are seeking a six-and-a-half-year prison term, while Moreno remains free pending sentencing.
Moreno, 73, who is paraplegic and previously served as a United Nations special envoy on disability issues, rejected the allegations after the verdict.
He said he had never received “a single cent” from Sinohydro and accused Correa of orchestrating the case against him.
Correa, who has also been convicted of corruption and is living in exile in Belgium, had previously “promised to take revenge on me,” Moreno said.
Three other Ecuadorian nationals were convicted alongside Moreno, including two former managers of the Coca Codo Sinclair facility.
The wider investigation has implicated about 20 people, including Moreno’s wife and daughter, businesspeople and a former Chinese ambassador to Ecuador.
Prosecutors allege that the bribery scheme involved payments made through intermediaries and contracts connected to the hydroelectric project.
Coca Codo Sinclair, built by Sinohydro, is a key component of Ecuador’s electricity system and the country’s largest hydroelectric facility. The project has faced technical problems since becoming operational.
READ MORE :
Ghana Extradites Three Over $100m Romance Scam, Business Email Fraud To U.S.
Moreno’s conviction adds to a series of corruption cases involving Ecuador’s political establishment, including Correa, who governed the country from 2007 to 2017 and was later convicted in a separate corruption case.
The verdict is likely to intensify scrutiny of the award and management of major infrastructure contracts in Ecuador, particularly projects involving large public investments and foreign state-owned companies.
Moreno is expected to appeal the conviction.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
