CM Ndiaye, a 35-year-old marabout, appeared before the Pikine-Guédiawaye court on Thursday on charges of charlatanism and fraud. According to L'Observateur, which covered the hearing, he is accused of having extorted 67 million CFA francs from D. Diop, a 25-year-old logistician.

Seduced by "promises of mystical powers intended to boost his business," Diop found himself "caught in a trap, undergoing costly rituals and threats of curses." "Occult forces are blocking your success, but I can help you," the accused assured him.

Thus, over the months, the complainant emptied his savings, "borrowing money from his family and using funds from the family business" to remove the blockages. "Every doubt [the client] has is allayed with veiled threats: ruin, failure, curse..."

He only owed his salvation to the intervention of his brother and sister. They, alerted by his repeated bank withdrawals, finally got the truth out of him.

Following their complaint, the Keur Massar investigation unit tracked the transactions "through telephone requisitions" and set up a trap. The alleged victim faked a final payment and arranged a meeting with Ndiaye, who was arrested on March 6. In police custody, the marabout downplayed his role and blamed a certain "Boly," a spiritual guide based in Touba. But the latter is nowhere to be found.

Unfortunately for him, the investigation revealed that Ndiaye, a repeat offender, had already been convicted of similar offences.

During the trial, damning evidence was presented: bank statements, compromising audio recordings, and witness statements. The prosecutor, denouncing manipulation based on fear and superstition, requested a one-year prison sentence, the repayment of the 67 million francs to the victim, as well as 5 million francs in damages. The court will deliver its decision next Friday, April 4.