Restaurant ransacking, violence, and a secret network: The downfall of a businessman sentenced to prison after his ex-wife filed a complaint

A domestic violence case led to the discovery of the husband's disturbing activities. Tried on July 6, 2026, before the Dakar Magistrates' Court, I. Sakho, a businessman, was sentenced to two years in prison, three months of which are to be served, and fined 500,000 CFA francs. He will also have to pay 3 million CFA francs in damages to his ex-wife, YF Dabo. This is a look back at a case that took an unexpected turn during the investigation.

In this case, a complaint for assault and battery was filed with the public prosecutor at the Dakar High Court. The case was transferred to the Dakar Research Brigade, which opened an investigation on June 19, 2026.

When questioned by investigators, YF Dabo recounted a relationship that, according to her, had turned into a living hell. Having arrived in Senegal before meeting I. Sakho, she explained that she had rented an apartment in Almadies and opened a restaurant in Ngor using her own resources. The two married in a traditional ceremony in The Gambia in 2024. According to the complainant, the problems began when she became pregnant. Six months into her pregnancy, she entrusted the management of her restaurant to her husband. She claims that he then began to assert ownership of the business, and later of the apartment, even demanding that the lease be in his name.

YF Dabo recounts having suffered repeated physical violence, intimidation, and threats. Even after their separation, she says, I. Sakho continued to enter her apartment without permission, forcing locks and damaging several belongings.

On June 16th, a new incident broke out at the restaurant in Ngor. The complainant claims to have been violently assaulted by her ex-husband, who also destroyed several pieces of equipment in the establishment.

She provided investigators with a medical certificate stating a temporary incapacity for work of 11 days and 2 bailiff's reports, noting the damage found in the restaurant and in the apartment.

To verify the claims of the two former spouses, investigators interviewed the landlords and real estate agents. Their statements were unanimous. Both the lease for the apartment in Almadies and the lease for the restaurant in Ngor were drawn up exclusively in the name of Ms. YF Dabo. One of the agents even specified that the husband had indeed paid a few months' rent, but had never been the leaseholder.

A neighbor of the couple also confirmed the frequent arguments and described a man with aggressive behavior, mentioning several interventions by law enforcement.

The phone that changes everything…

But it was the analysis of I. Sakho's mobile phone by the National Center for Combating Digital Crime (CNLCN) that turned the investigation around. Specialists discovered several WhatsApp conversations, photographs, and videos showing exchanges involving young women, introductions to third parties, and financial compensation.

During his latest hearing, I. Sakho admitted to being the author of several messages found on his phone. He acknowledged sending photos and videos of young girls to various men and offering to introduce them to each other. However, he denied participating in prostitution.

Investigators also identified two recurring contacts, known by the pseudonyms Dior and Diawara Malien. This was enough to warrant charges of pimping.

In court, I. Sakho, who presents himself as a real estate businessman, categorically denies the domestic violence charges. "No one witnessed me beating her. She made up this whole story," he maintains. Regarding the charge of pimping, he admits to having sent videos to certain men but insists he never arranged any sexual encounters.

His ex-wife, YF Dabo, also gave her version of events. "We got married in 2024. We separated when I was six months pregnant. He abandoned me," she stated. Her lawyer, Fadel Diack, is seeking 5 million FCFA in damages.

The public prosecutor, for his part, believes that the evidence in the case sufficiently establishes the charges. He requests a sentence of two years' imprisonment, one year of which is to be served, along with a fine of 500,000 FCFA.

The defense, led by Ms. Ndeye Fatou Sarr, dismantles the prosecution's case point by point. The lawyer alleges that the medical certificate for the assault was fabricated and maintains that the case file contains no material evidence of prostitution.

In delivering its verdict, the court found I. Sakho guilty of the charges against him. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with three months to be served, a fine of 500,000 FCFA, and ordered to pay 3 million FCFA in damages to YF Dabo.