The Financial Judicial Pool ordered, on January 7, 2026, the release of businessman Seydou Sarr, known as "Tahirou," who was being prosecuted for criminal conspiracy, fraud involving public funds, and money laundering amounting to an estimated 91 billion CFA francs. Seneweb provides details of order no. 5-2026 issued by Judge Idrissa Diarra of the First Chamber.

The decision was handed down by Idrissa Diarra, president of the panel of financial investigating judges at the Dakar High Court, following the examination of a petition filed

The release of Tahirou Sarr follows the request for release from custody and provisional release introduced by his lawyers Boubacar Wade, Boubacar Koita, SCP Guedel Ndiaye and associates Seydou Diagne and Aly Fall, on December 19, 2025.

Serious disputes

Imprisoned since February 28, 2025, Seydou Sarr's lawyers have filed their request, arguing that the funds received from the public treasury, totaling 91.6 billion CFA francs, stem from regular procedures, based on enforceable court decisions and debt assignment agreements.

According to the defense, the State of Senegal owes Seydou Sarr or his entities, notably SOFICO Holding, at least 105 billion CFA francs. The accused also produced several purchase orders for the acquisition of vehicles for the State. These orders resulted in actual deliveries, duly validated by the Directorate of Equipment and Administrative Transit (DMTA) and by the State's legal representative.

These elements of the defense led the investigating judge to consider that the objections raised are of a serious nature, required by article 140 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to consider lifting the detention order.

Opposition from the financial prosecutor's office and house arrest

For his part, the financial prosecutor primarily opposed provisional release, citing the ongoing investigation, including a current expert assessment, and the need to question officials from the Directorate of Public Accounting and the Treasury. As a secondary measure, the prosecution requested house arrest with electronic monitoring.

For his part, the state's legal agent, although duly notified, did not submit any observations on the request.

Deeming the legal conditions met, Judge Diarra ordered the release of Seydou Sarr and placed him under judicial supervision, subject to several strict conditions, including: a ban on leaving the country without judicial authorization; the surrender of his passports to the court clerk; a ban on conducting banking transactions other than those related to routine household expenses; a ban on any public communication regarding the case; and the obligation to refrain from associating with his co-defendants or witnesses. The judge also reminded the court that any violation of these measures could result in immediate arrest, followed by house arrest with electronic monitoring or a new detention order.