Dakar court delays ruling on signature forgery case involving sonko

The Correctional Court in Dakar has postponed the verdict in the signature forgery case linked to former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, involving Khardiata Tandian, to July 23, 2026. Originally scheduled for July 9, 2026, the delay stems from the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the alleged accomplice of the defendant.

The presiding judge also denied Khardiata Tandian’s request for provisional release. Her legal team argued that she met all the necessary conditions for such a measure, emphasizing her prolonged pre-trial detention—now exceeding a year—her status as a married woman and mother of a child. The defense further contended that the time already served could potentially cover any imposed sentence, and that continued incarceration would severely destabilize her personal and social life.

Prosecutors strongly contested the release, asserting that Khardiata Tandian’s freedom would pose a risk to public order and that she did not provide sufficient assurances of appearing for future court proceedings. While the defense maintained that no witness tampering risk existed—given that the defendant had already testified—the tribunal sided with the prosecution’s arguments. Consequently, Khardiata Tandian remains in custody pending the final resolution of the case.