Rufisque Court Hears Drug Case Against Artist Arona Benga and Three Co-defendants in Senegal

Arona Benga and Maguette Cissé, who were granted provisional release, appeared freely at the hearing. At the bar, the artist admitted to the drug use charges against him, while maintaining that he is merely a consumer. Maguette Cissé, for his part, contested the drug use charge.

The defendants Mamadou Thiam and Abdoulaye Diassy are incarcerated for drug possession, offering, and trafficking. Mamadou Thiam denied the charges of offering and trafficking, acknowledging only being a consumer. Abdoulaye Diassy contested all charges against him.

In his submissions, the public prosecutor deemed the facts established and requested one year of firm imprisonment for Arona Benga and Maguette Cissé, and three years firm for Mamadou Thiam and Abdoulaye Diassy. Following this, the defense sought a lenient application of criminal law.