The story borders on the absurd. Mr. Paye, a 31-year-old shopkeeper, was arrested by the Medina police for stealing a lawyer's cell phone, only to return several months later to seek legal assistance. The incident dates back to March 25, 2025.

That day, the lawyer was receiving Mr. Paye, recently released from prison, in his office. The visitor reportedly asked him for 3,000 CFA francs to travel to Touba. Out of generosity, the lawyer agreed to the request. But while he was carrying out the payment, the young man took advantage of his inattention to steal his cell phone, a Samsung Fold 5, before fleeing.

From that day on, there was no trace of the thief until November 3, 2025, when the man reappeared in the same office. This time, he sought the lawyer's services. Recognizing him, the lawyer immediately alerted the police, who arrested him.

When questioned by investigators, Mr. Paye readily admitted to stealing the lawyer's phone, explaining that he had acted under the influence of drugs. "I was craving crack. I sold the phone for 50,000 CFA francs to buy five rocks of crack," he confessed. The suspected receiver of stolen goods, El H. Diop, a merchant with a business at the Colobane market, was also arrested. He denied any involvement when questioned by investigators: "I don't know this man. It's the first time I've ever seen him. I've never bought a Fold phone."

He also specifies that he only obtains phones from containers and mainly sells brands like Redmi, Huawei or Samsung, but not Samsung Fold.

Mr. Paye, who had already been brought before the court several times for similar offenses, was sentenced this Monday by the Dakar Magistrates' Court to two years, one of which is a suspended sentence, for theft, even though he pleaded for leniency, citing ongoing treatment at Fann Hospital for his drug addiction. His co-defendant, El H. Diop, was acquitted of the charge of receiving stolen goods.