Ouesmane sonko signature case: detainee denied bail as trial delayed

The Dakar Criminal Court has deferred its verdict in the signature forgery case involving former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, with Khardiata Tandian as the accused. Initially scheduled for July 9, 2026, the ruling has been postponed until July 23, 2026, after the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the alleged accomplice, disrupted proceedings.

The court also denied the defendant’s request for provisional release, despite her lawyer’s arguments that she met all legal criteria. Her legal team emphasized her prolonged pre-trial detention—over a year—along with her status as a married mother of a child. They further contended that the time already served could potentially cover any future sentence, and further incarceration would severely destabilize her personal and social life.

Prosecutors strongly contested the bail request, asserting that Khardiata Tandian’s release would pose a significant risk to public order and that she lacked sufficient guarantees to ensure her appearance in court. Although her defense countered that no risk of witness tampering existed—since she had already testified—the tribunal ultimately sided with the prosecution’s position. As a result, the defendant remains in custody pending the final resolution of the case.