Oumane sonko’s signature forgery case: defendant held pending july 2026 verdict

The Dakar Correctional Court has deferred the verdict in the case of forged signatures linked to former Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko until July 23, 2026. Originally scheduled for July 9, 2026, the hearing was postponed after Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the alleged accomplice of the defendant Khardiata Tandian, failed to appear.

In a separate decision, the court denied the defendant’s request for provisional release. Her legal team argued that she met all necessary conditions for such a measure, citing her prolonged pre-trial detention of over a year, her married status, and the presence of a young child. The defense also contended that the time already served could potentially cover any applicable sentence, and that further incarceration would severely disrupt her personal and family life.

The prosecution strongly opposed the release, asserting that Khardiata Tandian’s release would pose a threat to public order and that she did not provide sufficient assurances of returning for trial. Despite the defense’s counterargument that no witness tampering risks existed since she had already testified, the court sided with the state prosecutor’s position. As a result, the defendant remains in custody pending the final ruling.