The Dakar Criminal Court has postponed its verdict in the signature forgery case involving former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, involving Khardiata Tandian, until July 23, 2026. Originally scheduled for July 9, 2026, the hearing was adjourned due to the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the alleged accomplice of the accused.
During the proceedings, the court denied Khardiata Tandian’s request for provisional release. Her legal team argued that she met all the necessary conditions for bail, highlighting her prolonged pre-trial detention of over a year, her marital status, and her responsibility as a mother to a young child. The defense further emphasized that the time already served could potentially cover any eventual sentence, and further incarceration would severely disrupt her social and family life.
The prosecution strongly contested the bail request, asserting that Khardiata Tandian’s release would pose a threat to public order and that she did not provide sufficient guarantees to ensure her appearance in court. Although the defense contended that there was no risk of witness intimidation since the accused had already testified, the court sided with the prosecution’s arguments. As a result, Khardiata Tandian remains in custody pending the resolution of the case.