The Correctional Court in Dakar has deferred its verdict in the case involving the alleged forgery of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s signature, involving Khardiata Tandian, until July 23, 2026. Originally scheduled for July 9, 2026, the hearing was postponed due to the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the alleged accomplice.
In a separate decision, the court rejected Khardiata Tandian’s request for provisional release. Her legal team argued that she met all the criteria for bail, citing her prolonged preventive detention—over a year—and her status as a married mother with a child. The defense also emphasized that the time already served could potentially cover any imposed sentence, warning that further incarceration would severely disrupt her social and family life.
The prosecution strongly opposed her release, asserting that her freedom would pose a threat to public order and that she did not provide sufficient guarantees to ensure her appearance in court. Despite the defense’s counterargument that no risk of witness tampering existed since the accused had already testified, the court sided with the prosecution’s stance. Khardiata Tandian remains in custody pending the case’s resolution.
