The Dakar Criminal Court has once again postponed its final decision in the high-profile case involving the alleged falsification of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s signature, with Khardiata Tandian as the accused. Originally slated for Thursday, July 9, 2026, the judgment has now been rescheduled for July 23, 2026.
The court cited the continued absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, who is believed to be Tandian’s accomplice in the alleged scheme, as the primary reason for this latest adjournment.
Furthermore, the tribunal rejected the request for provisional release filed by Tandian’s legal team. Her attorney argued that his client met all necessary criteria for such a measure. “She has been held in detention for over a year. The potential sentence could very well be covered by her pre-trial detention. She is a married woman and a mother. The longer she remains incarcerated, the more her social standing deteriorates,” her lawyer passionately pleaded.
The prosecution, however, opposed the request, asserting that granting Khardiata Tandian provisional liberty would disrupt public order. It also contended that the defendant failed to provide adequate guarantees for her future appearance in court.
The defense countered these claims, maintaining there was no risk of influencing witnesses or causing public disorder. They further emphasized that Tandian had already testified, making any distortion of facts impossible.
Following the public prosecutor’s recommendations, the court ultimately denied Khardiata Tandian’s application for provisional release. She will, therefore, remain in custody pending the final deliberation, now set for July 23, 2026.
The court cited the continued absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, who is believed to be Tandian’s accomplice in the alleged scheme, as the primary reason for this latest adjournment.
Furthermore, the tribunal rejected the request for provisional release filed by Tandian’s legal team. Her attorney argued that his client met all necessary criteria for such a measure. “She has been held in detention for over a year. The potential sentence could very well be covered by her pre-trial detention. She is a married woman and a mother. The longer she remains incarcerated, the more her social standing deteriorates,” her lawyer passionately pleaded.
The prosecution, however, opposed the request, asserting that granting Khardiata Tandian provisional liberty would disrupt public order. It also contended that the defendant failed to provide adequate guarantees for her future appearance in court.
The defense countered these claims, maintaining there was no risk of influencing witnesses or causing public disorder. They further emphasized that Tandian had already testified, making any distortion of facts impossible.
Following the public prosecutor’s recommendations, the court ultimately denied Khardiata Tandian’s application for provisional release. She will, therefore, remain in custody pending the final deliberation, now set for July 23, 2026.
