The Dakar Criminal Court has postponed its verdict in the case involving the alleged falsification of the signature of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, involving Khardiata Tandian. Initially scheduled for July 9, 2026, the ruling was delayed due to the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the alleged accomplice of the accused.
The court also denied Khardiata Tandian’s request for provisional release. Her legal team argued that she met all the necessary conditions for such a measure, citing her more than a year in pre-trial detention, her marital status, and her role as a mother. They also emphasized that the time already served could potentially cover any sentence she might receive, warning that further imprisonment would severely disrupt her personal and social life.
Prosecutors strongly contested the release, asserting that Khardiata Tandian’s freedom could pose a threat to public order and that she did not provide sufficient guarantees of appearing in court when required. Despite the defense’s counterargument that there was no risk of witness tampering—given that the accused had already testified—the tribunal sided with the prosecution’s stance. As a result, Khardiata Tandian remains in custody pending the case’s resolution.
