Dakar court maintains Khardiata Tandian in custody over forged signature case

In a significant development, the Dakar Criminal Court has postponed the verdict in the case involving the alleged falsification of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s signature, involving Khardiata Tandian. Initially scheduled for July 9, 2026, the decision has been deferred to July 23, 2026, due to the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the presumed accomplice in the matter.

The court also denied Tandian’s request for provisional release. Her legal team argued that she met all criteria for such a measure, noting her prolonged pre-trial detention of over a year, her married status, and her role as a mother to an infant. The defense further emphasized that the time already served might cover any potential sentence, warning that further incarceration would severely disrupt her social and family life.

However, the prosecution strongly contested the release, asserting that Tandian’s freedom could pose a threat to public order and that she did not provide sufficient guarantees for her future court appearances. Despite the defense’s counterargument that no witness intimidation risks existed—given that Tandian had already testified—the tribunal sided with the prosecution’s stance. As a result, Tandian remains in custody pending the final ruling.