Dakar — The fate of Khardiata Tandian remains uncertain in the high-profile case involving the alleged forgery of Ousmane Sonko’s signature. The Dakar Criminal Court has once again postponed its verdict, this time to July 23, marking the second delay in the proceedings.
The court cited the absence of a key figure—Chérif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the presumed accomplice—as the reason for the postponement. His presence is deemed essential before the tribunal can finalize its decision. Initially scheduled for July 9, the deliberation was deferred after the judge ruled that the case could not proceed without his testimony.
Legal maneuvering and detention concerns
The defense team seized the opportunity to file a motion for provisional release, arguing that Khardiata Tandian’s prolonged detention was no longer justified. Their plea highlighted several points:
- The defense submitted that all procedural documents had already been submitted, rendering further detention unnecessary.
- They dismissed concerns about witness tampering, asserting that the pre-trial statements had already been recorded and that no risk of interference remained.
- The lawyer emphasized that more than a year in detention could potentially cover any sentence she might receive, should she be convicted.
- Additionally, the defense pointed to the worsening social and familial situation of Khardiata Tandian, a married mother of one, whose incarceration was taking an increasing toll on her personal life.
Despite these arguments, the prosecution firmly opposed the motion. The prosecutor argued that releasing the defendant could pose a threat to public order and that she did not provide sufficient guarantees to ensure her appearance in court until the case concluded.
Court upholds prosecution’s stance
The tribunal ultimately sided with the prosecution, rejecting the defense’s plea for provisional release. Khardiata Tandian will remain in custody until the next hearing, now set for July 23. The case remains in limbo, hinging on the presence of Chérif Zeyni Abidin Sy, whose absence has already disrupted the court’s timeline once before.
The delay underscores the court’s commitment to hearing all parties involved before delivering a final verdict. Unless unforeseen circumstances arise, the defendant’s fate will be decided on the newly scheduled date.
