Dakar court postpones ruling on signature forgery case involving Ousmane Sonko

The Criminal Court of Dakar has deferred the verdict in the signature falsification case tied to former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, involving Khardiata Tandian. Initially scheduled for July 9, 2026, the judgment has been pushed to July 23, 2026, after the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the alleged accomplice of the accused.

The court also dismissed the request for provisional release filed by the defendant’s legal team. Despite arguments that Khardiata Tandian meets all criteria for release—including being married with a child and having spent over a year in pre-trial detention—the defense’s plea was rejected. Her lawyer emphasized that the time already served could potentially cover any future sentence, warning that further incarceration would severely disrupt her personal and social life.

The prosecution strongly opposed the release, citing concerns over public order and the risk of the defendant absconding. Although the defense contended that no witness intimidation could occur since Khardiata Tandian had already testified in court, the tribunal sided with the prosecution’s stance. As a result, the accused remains in custody pending the final resolution of the case.