Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) — Cheikhouna Keïta, a retired police commissioner, was taken into custody on Friday by the Criminal Investigations Division, Gambiaj.com has learned. The arrest follows comments made by Keïta, which have been deemed defamatory towards President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

Keïta is accused of spreading false information regarding the relationship between the President and the Prime Minister. His remarks, which circulated widely, reportedly portrayed a contentious fight between the two top officials, a claim Keïta insists he merely echoed from existing public discourse.

Following his detention, Keïta faced police investigators who questioned him about a video where he detailed the alleged altercation between Faye and Sonko. In his defense, Keïta stated that he was repeating rumors that had already been widely discussed in the public domain.

Barring any changes, Keïta is expected to remain in custody over the weekend. He is scheduled to be referred to the public prosecutor’s office on Monday, September 9. The case has sparked significant attention, given Keïta’s previous high-profile role as an anti-drug police commissioner and the sensitivity surrounding his remarks about the country’s highest officials.

As the situation develops, many are watching closely to see how the legal proceedings will unfold and what impact this case might have on the public discourse regarding Senegal’s leadership.