Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Senegalese media mogul and leader of the “Geum Sa Bop” movement, Bougane Guèye Dani, spent the night in police custody after being summoned by the country’s special cyber-security division. Guèye Dani, who was detained for allegedly spreading false information, faced questioning about comments he made criticizing a recent statement by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko concerning the nation’s financial situation.
Security sources revealed that no formal complaint was filed against Guèye Dani. Instead, the case emerged after a video of him discussing Sonko’s financial claims appeared on social media, prompting the cyber-security division to investigate. Following an internal review, Commissioner Djidiack Faye sought the opinion of public prosecutor Ibrahim Ndoye, who authorized the journalist’s summons.
During the investigation, Guèye Dani, accompanied by his legal team consisting of lawyers Amadou Sall, El Hadji Diouf, Alioune Badara Fall, and Djiby Diallo, defended his statements.
He was shown a recording of his September 26, 2024, press conference where he questioned the accuracy of figures presented by Sonko. The Prime Minister had painted a grim picture of Senegal’s economic health, which Guèye Dani publicly challenged, stating that the figures “did not correspond to reality.”
Responding to the police’s assertion that his comments about ministers Abdourahamane Sarr, Cheikh Diba, and government secretary-general Mouhamed Al Amine Lo were defamatory, Guèye Dani stood firm. “My statement was not irreverent and defamatory,” he argued.
He suggested that if Sonko’s claims were indeed accurate, those responsible for falsifying data would need to be prosecuted. “But we have no proof that this is true. If it’s a question of spreading false news, and it is Sonko who did it,” Bougane stated, shifting the focus back onto the Prime Minister.
The investigation delved into the potential consequences of his public statements on the country’s economy, particularly regarding foreign donors. Investigators suggested that Guèye Dani’s criticism could lead to a loss of donor confidence.
In response, the media mogul pointed the finger at Sonko, arguing, “It is Ousmane Sonko who will scare away the donors. Because it was he who described an alarming situation in our public finances. It’s up to him to come and say if what he said is true.”
Throughout the interrogation, Bougane Guèye Dani maintained that his intention was not to defame or harm anyone but to question Sonko’s narrative. “I never intended to offend anyone. I simply sounded the alarm on Sonko’s statements,” he said.
The investigation has now concluded, and Guèye Dani is expected to be referred to the Dakar prosecutor’s office tomorrow, barring any last-minute developments.
