Dakar court dismisses defamation case involving Lat Diop and Ibrahima Dieng

The Dakar correctional court has ruled the procedure inadmissible in the defamation case brought by Lat Diop against Ibrahima Dieng, former general director of Guédiawaye Football Club GFC, and journalist Mbaye Sène of DSports. The court's decision effectively ends the legal action for defamation and complicity in defamation. Lat Diop, former Minister of Sports and general director of LONASE, had filed a complaint against the two individuals, alleging defamatory remarks made during a press conference and on a television show. He had also sought one billion CFA francs in damages. According to case details, Ibrahima Dieng publicly claimed that during the 2021 political demonstrations, Lat Diop attempted to give him a suitcase containing over one billion CFA francs, purportedly for the construction of a center in Mbour 4. Dieng stated he refused the offer and had also made critical remarks, calling Diop a "thief" in media appearances. Lat Diop sought the conviction of the two defendants and the recognition of DSports' civil liability for broadcasting the contested statements. The defense challenged these accusations and the legal procedure. After several postponements, the Dakar correctional court declared the procedure inadmissible, concluding the judicial action initiated by the former general director of LONASE.