In support of in-house general counsel and external litigation and arbitration specialists, we deploy local investigators and specialist technical intelligence capabilities to assist with whistleblower allegations, governance-related issues and investigations, company disputes and other legal proceedings.

Client: A pharmaceutical investment fund invested in North Africa

Issue: The CEO of a local portfolio company had been investigated on undisclosed fraud and embezzlement charges. The client needed to ascertain the motivations behind the investigations, the nature of the allegations and the likelihood of charges being bought. 

Solution: AC21 deployed local investigators with direct access to the judicial system, who identified the charge sheet naming the CEO, along with other family members and associated business interests. The charges centred on the illicit transfer of funds, violations of foreign currency regulations, and broader corruption allegations. Based on discreet enquiries with sources close to the judiciary, investigators concluded that the case was driven by the national political anti-corruption agenda, with the administration seeking to fulfil its 'public mandate' in response to local protests, by targeting members of the former government’s business elite.