The Criminal Court in Dakar 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 central figure. Originally anticipated for Thursday, July 9, 2026, the judgment has now been rescheduled for July 23, 2026.
The court cited the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the accused’s alleged accomplice, as the reason for this latest deferral.
Furthermore, the court rejected the defendant’s request for provisional release. Khardiata Tandian’s legal counsel argued that his 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 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, vehemently opposed this request, arguing that granting Khardiata Tandian provisional liberty would disrupt public order. Additionally, the prosecutor contended that the defendant failed to provide adequate assurances of her future appearance in court.
The defense countered these arguments, asserting that there was no risk of pressuring witnesses nor any threat to public order. They further highlighted that the defendant had already testified, making any distortion of the facts impossible.
Following the recommendations of the public ministry, the court denied Khardiata Tandian’s request for provisional release. Consequently, she will remain in custody pending the final verdict, which is now set for July 23, 2026.
The court cited the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the accused’s alleged accomplice, as the reason for this latest deferral.
Furthermore, the court rejected the defendant’s request for provisional release. Khardiata Tandian’s legal counsel argued that his 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 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, vehemently opposed this request, arguing that granting Khardiata Tandian provisional liberty would disrupt public order. Additionally, the prosecutor contended that the defendant failed to provide adequate assurances of her future appearance in court.
The defense countered these arguments, asserting that there was no risk of pressuring witnesses nor any threat to public order. They further highlighted that the defendant had already testified, making any distortion of the facts impossible.
Following the recommendations of the public ministry, the court denied Khardiata Tandian’s request for provisional release. Consequently, she will remain in custody pending the final verdict, which is now set for July 23, 2026.
