The investigation into the award of a $691 million (Rs 30 billion) fuel supply contract has entered a decisive phase. The Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) summoned former Attorney General and ex-Justice Minister Maneesh Gobin «under warning» on July 27, 2026 — the latest in a growing list of senior former officials called in for questioning.
A Mega-Contract With Contested Origins
In 2021, the State Trading Corporation (STC) — the public body responsible for strategic imports in Mauritius — awarded a fuel supply contract to Mercantile & Maritime Investments Pte Ltd (MMI) worth $691 million, or nearly Rs 30 billion. The FCC has identified two major irregularities: an «unsolicited bid» (MMI was not the originally selected bidder) and «tailor-made specifications» designed to match MMI's offer and artificially favour the company over competitors.
Four Former Government Pillars in the Crosshairs
On July 6, 2026, former Finance Minister Renganaden Padayachy and former Trade Minister Soodesh Callichurn appeared before the Port-Louis court. Released on restrictive bail, they face charges of «public official using his position for gratification» under sections 7(1) and 83 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 2002. Former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth was questioned for eleven hours by FCC investigators. On July 27, former Attorney General Maneesh Gobin presented himself at FCC headquarters in Réduit, summoned «under warning».
A Court Calendar That Stretches to October
The case has been adjourned to October 28, 2026, giving the FCC time to continue investigating the full decision-making chain. Kareena Neisius, MMI's local representative, and Rajiv Servansingh, former STC director-general, are also among those questioned.
Why It Matters
Beyond the legal dimension, this case raises a fundamental question about the governance of strategic public procurement in Mauritius. The island is positioning itself as a regional financial and logistics hub — an ambition enshrined in the 2026-2027 «Future Ready Economy» Budget. The simultaneous implication of a former Prime Minister, two former ministers and a former Attorney General sends a dual signal: Mauritian institutions have gained the independence needed to pursue sensitive cases, but the confidence of international investors will depend heavily on how this affair is handled.