The Dakar Correctional Court has once again postponed its final ruling in the case concerning the alleged falsification of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s signature, in which Khardiata Tandian is implicated. Originally scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2026, the judgment has now been deferred to July 23 of the same year.
The tribunal cited the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as Khardiata Tandian’s alleged accomplice, as the reason for this latest adjournment.
Furthermore, the court rejected the request for provisional release filed by the defense for the accused. Khardiata Tandian’s legal counsel argued that their client met all necessary criteria for such a measure. “She has been in detention for over a year. The potential sentence could very well be covered by her pre-trial imprisonment. She is a married woman and a mother. The longer she remains incarcerated, the more her social situation deteriorates,” her lawyer pleaded.
The prosecutor, however, opposed this plea, asserting that Khardiata Tandian’s release would disrupt public order. The prosecution also maintained that the accused failed to provide sufficient guarantees of her appearance in court.
The defense countered, arguing there was no risk of witness intimidation or disturbance to public order. They also highlighted that the accused had already given her testimony in court, making any distortion of facts impossible.
Following the public prosecutor’s recommendations, the court denied Khardiata Tandian’s request for provisional release. Consequently, she will remain in custody pending the court’s deliberation, now set for July 23, 2026.
The tribunal cited the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as Khardiata Tandian’s alleged accomplice, as the reason for this latest adjournment.
Furthermore, the court rejected the request for provisional release filed by the defense for the accused. Khardiata Tandian’s legal counsel argued that their client met all necessary criteria for such a measure. “She has been in detention for over a year. The potential sentence could very well be covered by her pre-trial imprisonment. She is a married woman and a mother. The longer she remains incarcerated, the more her social situation deteriorates,” her lawyer pleaded.
The prosecutor, however, opposed this plea, asserting that Khardiata Tandian’s release would disrupt public order. The prosecution also maintained that the accused failed to provide sufficient guarantees of her appearance in court.
The defense countered, arguing there was no risk of witness intimidation or disturbance to public order. They also highlighted that the accused had already given her testimony in court, making any distortion of facts impossible.
Following the public prosecutor’s recommendations, the court denied Khardiata Tandian’s request for provisional release. Consequently, she will remain in custody pending the court’s deliberation, now set for July 23, 2026.
