Motorcycle taxi driver G. Mbaye appeared before the Criminal Chamber of the Thiès High Court on Tuesday, January 27, on charges of rape, pedophilia, and abduction of a minor. He is accused of sexually assaulting A. Samb, who was 14 years old at the time of the events, which took place in 2022 in Tivaouane.

In court, the defendant completely denied the accusations against him. According to his version of events, he met the girl during the Gamou celebration in Tivaouane, where he had given her a ride on his motorcycle. He claimed that the girl had taken his phone number to contact him if needed.

 

A few days later, the girl called him to come to his house. "She left Dakar and told me she had to go to Saint-Louis and that she wanted to spend the night at my place until the next day. That's how she came to my house in the Keur Cheikh neighborhood. It was a Wednesday and she stayed there for three days. I did not have sexual relations with her. We didn't even sleep together. During her entire stay, she slept in my roommate Mr. Thiaw's room," he explained.

He recanted his confession during the preliminary investigation, claiming he admitted to the acts under pressure from investigators.

The victim, who was absent from the hearing, told investigators that she had sexual relations with the defendant on two occasions, but that she was consenting.

Her father testified that his daughter had run away and that upon returning home, she explained that she had been at G. Mbaye's house. He then went to see Mbaye at his home before filing a complaint.

Witness M. Thiaw testified: "When I arrived home at 9 p.m., G. Mbaye told me that he had a friend who had come from Dakar and that he wanted her to sleep in my room. I agreed to this and the girl spent the night in my room for the entire duration of her stay. I don't know at what point G. Mbaye allegedly had sexual relations with her."

The public prosecutor considered G. Mabye guilty of all charges and requested a seven-year prison sentence.

The verdict is scheduled for February 24, 2026.