Driver S. Badiane, a married father, appeared before the criminal chamber of the Thiès High Court on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. He is being prosecuted for alleged rape, pedophilia, and abduction of a minor involving a 13-year-old girl. The alleged events took place in November 2023 in Pout.

According to the case file, the alleged victim, R. Ndiaye, had been placed in the care of the defendant's mother. The two were living under the same roof. The case came to light when the young girl ran away upon seeing S. Badiane approach her. When questioned by her brother about her fearful reaction, she eventually confessed that S. Badiane was sexually abusing her. Alerted, the victim's father took his daughter to the health center for an examination. The medical certificate issued after this consultation confirmed that the minor had already engaged in sexual activity. The accused was arrested shortly afterward following the filing of a complaint.

Diametrically opposed versions of the bar

In court, the defendant categorically rejected the accusations against him. He maintained that these statements were false and that the minor had been pressured into making such remarks.

For her part, the plaintiff, R. Ndiaye, firmly maintained her accusations. She testified before the court that the defendant had raped her three times. "He would take me to an unfinished building, undress me, and have sexual intercourse with me," she stated. According to her testimony, two of the acts occurred in this building under construction, and the third in the defendant's bedroom, in the absence of his wife. The young woman also specified that after each encounter, the defendant forbade her from speaking about it under threat of reprisals, despite the pain she experienced.

The prosecution's case: the benefit of the doubt requested

In his closing argument, the public prosecutor noted that, since the start of the proceedings, the defendant had consistently denied the charges, while the plaintiff had remained steadfast in its accusations. However, he argued that these accusations were based primarily on statements, lacking irrefutable physical evidence or direct witnesses. Considering this to leave room for reasonable doubt, the prosecution requested the defendant's acquittal based on reasonable doubt.

The defense, represented by Mr. Ayi and Mr. Faty, welcomed the position of the public prosecutor, stating that the prosecutor had demonstrated intellectual rigor in requesting the release of their client.

The case has been adjourned for deliberation and the judgment will be delivered on April 14, 2026.