Verdict – Robbery in Touba: C. Sall sentenced to 20 years in prison, his marabout receives a 6-month sentence for failing to report the crime.

The criminal chamber of the Thiès High Court has closed the case concerning baker C. Sall, who was being prosecuted for criminal association, robbery committed with violence, and the use of weapons and means of transport.

The case was heard on Tuesday, July 14th. After deliberation, the court found the accused guilty of the charges against him and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay 40 million CFA francs in damages to the plaintiff, C. Diop. His marabout, A. Ndieguène, was also found guilty of failing to report a crime and received a two-year sentence, with six months to be served in prison.

A targeted and spectacular robbery in Touba

According to the prosecution, C. Sall, alias "Khaugne," and three accomplices left Dakar in August 2023 on two motorcycles to carry out a targeted operation in Touba. Their target was Mr. C. Diop, who had just withdrawn 30.2 million CFA francs from a bank. As the victim was about to get into a taxi, the assailants struck. C. Sall brandished a knife to hold the victim at gunpoint while one of his accomplices grabbed the bag containing the money, before fleeing to divide the loot.

Following a complaint filed by the victim, the gendarmerie's meticulous investigation led to the arrest of C. Sall and his marabout, A. Ndieguène, the latter subsequently being granted provisional release.

Detailed confessions in court

During his hearing with the judge, C. Sall fully admitted his participation in the Touba robbery. However, he firmly denied any involvement in another theft of 36 million FCFA committed previously against A. Lô. "There were four of us. We left Dakar on two motorcycles. In Touba, we intercepted the victim and took his bag containing 30.2 million FCFA. We split the money. I had even considered using my share to finance a trip, but it fell through because of paperwork issues," he explained.

The defendant's guilt was reinforced by the screening in court of a video of the assault filmed in August 2023, on which C. Sall formally recognized himself.

The marabout's compromising WhatsApp messages

For his part, religious leader A. Ndieguène contested the charge of failing to report a crime. He explained that he had met the baker when the latter came to ask for prayers after his motorcycle had been seized. He claimed he hadn't grasped the seriousness of the voice messages he later received on WhatsApp, in which the defendant told him he had "recovered money" in Touba.

However, the broadcast of the voice messages to the audience revealed that the marabout had assured his disciple that he could "do whatever he wanted" and that he "would never go to prison," statements which he eventually admitted in court.

The victim's distress and the prosecutor's requests

The victim, C. Diop, gave a poignant account of the devastating consequences of the attack. He stated that the money belonged to a business partner, and to repay his debt, he was forced to sell his own house, bringing his entire professional life to a standstill. His lawyer sought 75 million FCFA in damages.

Given the extreme gravity of the facts, the public prosecutor had requested a life sentence for the baker C. Sall. For the marabout A. Ndieguène, the prosecution had determined that his passive complicity was established and had requested a two-year prison sentence.

C. Sall's defense team had requested that the charges be reduced to complicity in the robbery in Touba. The marabout's lawyer, for his part, had argued for a suspended sentence.