Case of Jérôme Badiaky, known as "The Sniper," and Sakory Ka: The prosecution requests a 5-year prison sentence for "The Sniper" and 3 years for Doudou Ka's brother.

The trial of Jérôme Badiaky, alias "Sniper," and Sakory Ka took place this Wednesday before the Dakar Criminal Court. Held in pretrial detention since September 25, 2024, Jérôme Badiaky is being prosecuted for possession of weapons without administrative authorization, illegal arms trafficking, impersonating a civil or military public official, fraud involving state benefits, and for actions and maneuvers likely to compromise public safety.

Appearing alongside him was Sakory Ka, brother of former minister Doudou Ka, who was jailed on November 28, 2024 and prosecuted in particular for possession of weapons without authorization and illegal arms trafficking.

At the conclusion of the proceedings, the public prosecutor requested a five-year prison sentence and a fine of 5 million CFA francs for Jérôme Badiaky. For Sakory Ka, the prosecution requested a three-year prison sentence and a fine of 2 million CFA francs.

Regarding the facts

The judicial investigation was opened following the arrest of Jérôme Badiaky on September 18, 2024, by the Criminal Investigation Division (DIC). Searches carried out at his apartment in Plateau and then at a residence in Grand-Mbour led to the discovery of large sums of money, three diplomatic passports issued in his name, several pieces of security equipment, as well as two firearms, magazines, ammunition, knives, and numerous walkie-talkies.

Before investigators and then the examining magistrate, Jérôme Badiaky maintained that the equipment belonged to his security company, Sniper Sécurité, which was authorized by the Ministry of the Interior. He also explained that his diplomatic passports had been issued to him when he was providing security for former President Macky Sall and then former Prime Minister Aminata Touré.

The investigation took a new turn after statements from a witness, Ndiack Diop, a former employee of MP Farba Ngom's farm, who mentioned the presence of weapons and prominent figures at the site. However, the site visit conducted by investigators failed to confirm these claims.

The investigations also established that some weapons came from regularly authorized gun shops, while the Beretta pistol found at Jérôme Badiaky's was not listed in any official database.

Samba Ba is granted a dismissal.

In his order, the investigating judge granted a dismissal of the case against wrestler Samba Ba, alias "Mbeuss", considering that the accusations were based solely on the uncorroborated statements of witness Ndiack Diop.

Regarding Sakory Ka, the magistrate also issued a partial dismissal. He determined that the weapons found at his home were legally authorized and that Jérôme Badiaky's allegation that Sakory had sold him a weapon was unsupported by any evidence. The prosecution, however, appealed the charge of arms trafficking.

Jérôme Badiaky acknowledges a "mistake"

In court, Jérôme Badiaky denied all the charges against him. "I'm a security assistant. My company is called Sniper Security," he stated. Regarding the seized weapons, he admitted to an administrative error. "I went to the Dakar Armurerie. I had secured a contract in Tivaouane, and the partners required armed guards. I was told they would give me the weapon and that I would then obtain the necessary authorization. That's the only mistake I made. I put the cart before the horse," he explained.

Regarding the replica weapon, he claimed to have acquired it to deter potential attackers at a site he was securing. When questioned about the diplomatic passports, he maintained that they had been issued to him while he was providing security for Aminata Touré.

Regarding the official residence, he claims to have obtained it after working for Macky Sall and then for former Prime Minister Aminata Touré. He also rejected the statements of witness Ndiack Diop, stating that he did not know him and denying any connection with Farba Ngom or Amadou Sall.

“I wasn’t managing the president’s son. Also, people who know me know that I’m not on good terms with Farba Ngom,” he said.

Sakory Ka denies any arms sales

For his part, Sakory Ka also contested the facts. "All my weapons have the necessary permits. They were intended for my hunting activities. I bought them at the Dakar gun shop. As for my father's pistol, I kept it after his death," he explained.

He also denied selling a fake weapon to Jérôme Badiaky.

The prosecutor's indictment

In his indictment, the public prosecutor argued that the offenses of illegal possession of weapons and illicit arms trafficking were established. He also maintained that Jérôme Badiaky was guilty of fraud involving state benefits, notably by obtaining an apartment from SOGEPA and diplomatic passports.

However, the public prosecutor argued that the allegations of actions likely to compromise public safety were not sufficiently substantiated. He requested a five-year prison sentence and a fine of 5 million CFA francs for Jérôme Bandiaky, and a three-year prison sentence for Sakory Ka.

Sakory Ka's lawyers unanimously requested his acquittal. Attorney Alioune Badara Fall argued that the committal order did not include the arms trafficking charge against his client and produced the permits for the seized weapons. Attorney Youssoupha Camara stated, "This is much ado about nothing. Sakory Ka cannot be convicted. The permits have been submitted to the file, and the trafficking charge is unfounded." His colleagues, Abdourahmane Sow Lénine and Gaby So, concurred.

Speaking in defense of Jérôme Badiaky, lawyer Aboubacry Barro argued that his client was being wrongly prosecuted. According to him, the case erupted in the context of Fulbert Sambou's death, after which the authorities sought to identify those responsible. "Since Fulbert Sambou's death, the State, which maintains continuity, has been looking for culprits. This case is not the right one," he pleaded.

The lawyer then denounced what he considered a political manipulation of the case. "In reality, it's the 'pastef' party that's behind all this. It's all a setup," he asserted, before defending his client's character. "Jérôme is not a criminal. He's a businessman who runs a security agency," concluded Mr. Barro, requesting his client's acquittal.

Attorney Famara Mané recalled that the case had initially been opened in the context of the investigation into the death of Fulbert Sambou before experiencing, in his view, "a dramatic turn of events." Attorney Oumar Youm argued for outright acquittal.

Lawyer Djiby Diallo finally declared that these are acts covered by the amnesty law: "It's a politically motivated order. Jérôme was the designated culprit for the disappearance of the two gendarmes Fulbert Sambou and Didier Badji."

The case is adjourned for deliberation until July 22, 2026.