The Dakar correctional court has once more postponed its final decision in the high-profile case involving the alleged falsification of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s signature, with Khardiata Tandian as the accused. Originally scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2026, the judgment has now been deferred to July 23 of the same year.
The court’s decision to delay the proceedings again stems from the continued absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, who is believed to be Tandian’s alleged accomplice in the matter.
Furthermore, the tribunal rejected the request for provisional release filed by the defense for the accused. Tandian’s legal representative argued that his client met all necessary criteria for such a measure. “She has been held in detention for over a year now. The potential sentence she faces could well be covered by the time she has already spent in preventive custody. She is a married woman and a mother to a child. The longer she remains incarcerated, the more her social standing deteriorates,” her attorney passionately pleaded.
In opposition, the prosecutor contended that granting Khardiata Tandian her freedom would disrupt public order. The prosecution also maintained that the defendant failed to provide adequate assurances of her future appearance in court.
The defense countered, asserting there was no risk of witness tampering or any threat to public order. They also highlighted that the accused had already testified in court, making any distortion of facts impossible.
Aligning with the public prosecutor’s recommendations, the court ultimately denied Khardiata Tandian’s petition for provisional release. Consequently, she will remain in custody pending the final deliberation, now set for July 23, 2026.
The court’s decision to delay the proceedings again stems from the continued absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, who is believed to be Tandian’s alleged accomplice in the matter.
Furthermore, the tribunal rejected the request for provisional release filed by the defense for the accused. Tandian’s legal representative argued that his client met all necessary criteria for such a measure. “She has been held in detention for over a year now. The potential sentence she faces could well be covered by the time she has already spent in preventive custody. She is a married woman and a mother to a child. The longer she remains incarcerated, the more her social standing deteriorates,” her attorney passionately pleaded.
In opposition, the prosecutor contended that granting Khardiata Tandian her freedom would disrupt public order. The prosecution also maintained that the defendant failed to provide adequate assurances of her future appearance in court.
The defense countered, asserting there was no risk of witness tampering or any threat to public order. They also highlighted that the accused had already testified in court, making any distortion of facts impossible.
Aligning with the public prosecutor’s recommendations, the court ultimately denied Khardiata Tandian’s petition for provisional release. Consequently, she will remain in custody pending the final deliberation, now set for July 23, 2026.
