Dakar’s third civil chamber has deferred proceedings in the high-stakes property dispute between former Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The case, centered on a disputed villa in the Cité Keur Gorgui district, will resume on 22 July 2026, following the latest adjournment.
The legal saga began when Mame Mbaye Niang filed a civil suit against Ousmane Sonko, seeking to nullify what he alleges was a fraudulent transfer of ownership for his 264 m² villa (lot n°R/17). The property, located in the upscale Cité Keur Gorgui neighborhood, was allegedly reassigned to Sonko’s family as part of an alleged effort to shield assets from legal claims.
At the heart of the dispute lies a 200 million CFA francs damages award secured by Mame Mbaye Niang in a prior criminal case. The former minister now demands the reinstatement of the property under his name to enable the enforcement of this judgment. His legal team argues that the transfer was a deliberate strategy to create financial insolvency and obstruct asset seizure.
Following an earlier postponement, the court has now set a deadline for both parties to submit additional written arguments. Ousmane Sonko’s defense team will file their responses before the next hearing, where the civil judge will weigh the merits of the case and deliver a final ruling.