A civil court in Dakar has once again postponed proceedings in a high-profile property dispute between former Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The case, which centers on ownership of a 264 m² villa in the Keur Gorgui district, will now resume on July 22, 2026, according to the third civil chamber’s latest ruling.
Mame Mbaye Niang filed the lawsuit against Ousmane Sonko, accusing him of fraudulent transfer of the property—registered under lot number R/17—to the latter’s family. The former minister seeks to reclaim the villa and secure the 200 million West African CFA francs in damages awarded to him following a separate criminal case decided by the Supreme Court.
Legal battle over alleged fraudulent property transfer
In court filings, Niang’s legal team contends that the transfer of the property’s lease rights was a deliberate move to prevent asset seizure and undermine enforcement of the court-ordered damages. They argue that the action was designed to render Ousmane Sonko financially insolvent, thereby shielding the villa from legal recovery.
The ongoing litigation follows an earlier adjournment, as the civil court now awaits the submission of final written responses from both sides. Ousmane Sonko’s defense has yet to submit its counterarguments, delaying the resolution of what has become a closely watched legal confrontation.
