Ligotage et asphyxie : « Ya Seyda » Khoudia risque 15 ans de prison pour le meurtre de son élève Assane Dieng
The Criminal Court of Dakar heard the particularly sensitive case of the death of young Assane Dieng, which occurred in 2024 at a Koranic school (daara) in the Tacko neighborhood of Rufisque, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The hearing was held behind closed doors. In the dock, Koranic teacher Samba Ndiaye (30 years old) and his wife Khoudia Seye, also known as "Ya Seyda" (29 years old), are being prosecuted for violence and assault against a minor under 15 years of age resulting in death, committed by persons in positions of authority. The third defendant, Serigne Abdou Lahat Ndiaye, described as the school's accountant, is being prosecuted for complicity. He appeared in court as a free man.
According to the case file, Assane Dieng had only spent a month at this Koranic boarding school, where boys and girls were separated into two distinct buildings. In court, Samba Ndiaye described a facility staffed by several teachers. He stated that the child had arrived after Tabaski and showed no unusual signs.
However, the victim's family's account contrasts sharply with this version. Mamadou Dieng, Assane's grandfather, reported that the child had already expressed his distress: "He was crying and wanted to leave the boarding school." On the day of the tragedy, the family was informed of his death under circumstances they considered unclear. The Quranic teacher mentioned a child who had apparently not woken up that morning.
The doctor suggests a suspicious death.
The testimony of the doctor on duty the morning of the tragedy at Youssou Mbargane Hospital, Dr. Médoune Ndoye, is damning. He explained that upon the body's arrival, he noticed disturbing signs: "scratches on the neck, red eyes." Based on these findings, he immediately issued a certificate of suspicious death and recommended an autopsy. The forensic findings are unequivocal: fractures in the neck, multiple contusions on the body, and death resulting from mechanical asphyxiation, suggesting pressure was applied to the neck.
Children's testimonies: violence, bondage, and fear
Several students at the daara gave disturbing testimonies. Some described corporal punishment practices, including tying up. Young I. Lo claims he was tied up and beaten after running away. PS Diagne, 12 years old, admitted to being punished for disciplinary reasons, although he changed his story in court.
The key testimony is that of Moussa Diop (now deceased), obtained during the investigation, who directly accused Khoudia Seye of hitting Assane after he vomited, without providing him with any medical care. These allegations are firmly denied by the accused.
Khoudia Seye denies any violence
In court, Khoudia Seye denied all responsibility. She maintained that she had simply observed that the child was not waking up: "I called him several times, he was already dead." She categorically denied having beaten him or deprived him of care.
In his closing argument, the public prosecutor spoke of a "chain of misfortunes." Based on the autopsy and witness statements, he asserted that Assane Dieng's death resulted from repeated blows followed by induced asphyxiation. He denounced an attempt to cover up the events with explanations deemed fanciful.
The prosecution believes Khoudia Seye is primarily responsible, accusing her of beating the child and denying him medical care despite his critical condition. They have requested a 15-year prison sentence and a fine of 500,000 FCFA for her. Conversely, the prosecution has asked that Samba Ndiaye be cleared of any wrongdoing in the death, while still charging him with intentional violence, for which they have requested a 5-year prison sentence. Regarding the accountant, the prosecutor stated that there is no evidence to establish his complicity.
The defense is pleading for acquittal.
The defense lawyers attempted to dismantle the prosecution's case. Attorney Mamadou Diaw argued, in particular, that a "light beating" could not lead to strangulation, emphasizing the lack of direct evidence linking Khoudia Seye to the mechanism of death. He pleaded for the outright acquittal of the defendants.
The case has been adjourned for deliberation until June 2nd.
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