Currently detained at the Mbour Detention and Correctional Center (MAC), businessman O. Diallo is accused of twice setting fire to the home of his rival, C. Gaye, amid a land dispute in Médinatoul Salam. The dispute concerns a plot of land claimed by both men: while O. Diallo asserts that the land was given to him in 2014 by his spiritual guide, the late Cheikh Béthio Thioune, he admits to possessing no official administrative documents. C. Gaye, on the other hand, brandishes valid property titles and had already begun construction work, reports L'Observateur, which attended the hearing.

According to the investigation, the same source continues, the situation escalated into violence in February. Following an initial altercation, the daily newspaper of the Groupe Futurs Médias (GFM) reports, O. Diallo allegedly escalated the situation the next day. Around 2 p.m., he reportedly forced open the main door of his adversary's home and set it on fire. He allegedly repeated the act around 9 p.m., dousing the hut where the security guard was located with gasoline before setting it ablaze. The guard only escaped the flames by fleeing in haste.

The gendarmerie's investigation suggests clear premeditation. The acts were allegedly planned via a WhatsApp group containing several accomplices. Incriminating exchanges attest to the criminal plot, with one member even taking the precaution of alerting the victim. Furthermore, C. Gaye provided investigators with videos filming his rival's actions, as well as screenshots of the incriminating conversations.

Appearing before the Mbour High Court, O. Diallo denied any involvement despite the overwhelming evidence. Given the seriousness of the charges, the prosecutor argued that the court lacked jurisdiction and requested that a judicial inquiry be opened before an investigating judge. The court adjourned the case for deliberation and will render its decision on March 17, according to the Gfm news report.