Dr Cheikh Dieng, former Director-General of the Office national de l’assainissement du Sénégal (ONAS), will have the opportunity to defend himself personally in the trial for defamation and dissemination of false news initiated by the companies Vicas and Delta. Initially judged by default, he obtained the rebat du délibéré set for 28 May, leading to the reopening of the debates on 25 June next before the tribunal correctionnel de Dakar, reports Les Échos. Repris par la même source, Dr Cheikh Dieng affirms that he will take advantage of this hearing to expose his version of the facts, all the while maintaining his accusations against the two companies, which he describes as “lobbies” manipulated, according to him, by the ministre de l’Hydraulique et de l’Assainissement, Cheikh Tidiane Dièye. “All that I have said is true. These companies are guided to conceal the predation on the markets of the ONAS”, he maintained. The former Director-General also refers to an audit which revealed irregularities involving 440 billion CFA francs, which he considers to be a central element of his defence. During the hearing held in his absence, the civil party had claimed “200 million CFA francs in damages and interests”, as well as “the publication of the judgment in the press”. On the other hand, the public prosecutor had requested the application of the criminal law against the accused.
Good news for Dr Cheikh Dieng
