An arrest warrant has been issued for former Iraqi Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Essedi over allegations of illicit gain through fake companies benefiting from ministry contracts. The warrant was requested by the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court Investigative Judiciary, affiliated with the Karkh Appeals Court Presidency in Baghdad.
Reportedly, the warrant was issued under an anti-corruption campaign launched by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi. [source_ref:claim:2] Essedi is accused of illegally benefiting from ministry contracts through a fake company. The court stated that Essedi failed to prove that the increase in his assets was obtained through legal means.
The charges against Essedi are being evaluated under the Integrity and Illicit Enrichment Combat Law. The Iraqi judiciary has also applied to parliament to lift the immunity of Iraqi Parliament Member Nazim Mohammed Duwayic al-Essedi as part of the investigation.
The court's letter stated that MP Essedi agreed with the former minister to establish a company called 'et-Tedamul General Trade, Information Technology and General Contracting Limited Company.' The company was established for the purpose of directly benefiting from tenders and contracts carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
The company signed two separate contracts with the ministry on January 15 and November 19, 2025. It also obtained a license to open a special job-finding office for the purpose of employing foreign workers.
The company signed two separate contracts with the ministry in 2025.
It was determined that a large number of foreign workers were brought into Iraq through the said office in violation of legislation. The request to lift the MP's immunity was made to enable legal proceedings under the Iraqi Penal Code.
The Iraqi official news agency INA reported on the arrest warrant and the investigation.
