On Thursday, July 9, 2026, the Dakar Criminal Court deferred its ruling in the case involving the alleged forgery of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko‘s signature, with the verdict now expected on July 23, 2026. The postponement was attributed to the absence of Cherif Zeyni Abidin Sy, identified as the presumed accomplice in the matter.

The court also rejected the request for provisional release filed by Khardiata Tandian’s legal team. Despite arguments that she had met all eligibility criteria—including over a year of preventive detention, marital status, and being a mother—her lawyers contended that any potential sentence had already been effectively served. They further warned that prolonging her incarceration would severely destabilize her social and family life.

Prosecutors strongly contested the motion, asserting that Khardiata Tandian’s release could disrupt public order and that she did not provide sufficient guarantees to ensure her appearance in court. While her defense maintained that there was no risk of witness tampering, given that she had already testified, the tribunal ultimately sided with the prosecution’s stance. As a result, Khardiata Tandian remains in custody pending the final judgment.