The Dakar Correctional Court has once again deferred its ruling in the high-profile case involving the alleged falsification of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s signature, with Khardiata Tandian as the accused. The judgment, initially anticipated on Thursday, July 9, 2026, has now been rescheduled for July 23 of the same year.
The court cited the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as Khardiata Tandian’s alleged accomplice, as the reason for this latest postponement.
Furthermore, the court rejected the request for provisional release submitted by Khardiata Tandian. Her defense counsel argued that she met all necessary criteria for such a measure. “She has been held in detention for over a year. The potential sentence could well be covered by her pre-trial detention. 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.
The public prosecutor, however, opposed the plea, asserting that Khardiata Tandian’s release would disrupt public order. The prosecution also contended that the accused failed to provide sufficient guarantees of her appearance in court.
In response, the defense maintained that there was no risk of influencing witnesses or causing public disorder. They further highlighted that Khardiata Tandian had already testified, making any distortion of facts impossible.
Following the public prosecutor’s recommendations, the court denied Khardiata Tandian’s request for provisional release. She will therefore remain in custody until the deliberation, now set for July 23, 2026.
The court cited the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as Khardiata Tandian’s alleged accomplice, as the reason for this latest postponement.
Furthermore, the court rejected the request for provisional release submitted by Khardiata Tandian. Her defense counsel argued that she met all necessary criteria for such a measure. “She has been held in detention for over a year. The potential sentence could well be covered by her pre-trial detention. 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.
The public prosecutor, however, opposed the plea, asserting that Khardiata Tandian’s release would disrupt public order. The prosecution also contended that the accused failed to provide sufficient guarantees of her appearance in court.
In response, the defense maintained that there was no risk of influencing witnesses or causing public disorder. They further highlighted that Khardiata Tandian had already testified, making any distortion of facts impossible.
Following the public prosecutor’s recommendations, the court denied Khardiata Tandian’s request for provisional release. She will therefore remain in custody until the deliberation, now set for July 23, 2026.
