Gabon court jails ex-first Lady Sylvia Bongo, son for 20 years over corruption

Gabon court jails ex-first Lady Sylvia Bongo, son for 20 years over corruption

A court in Gabon has sentenced former First Lady Sylvia Bongo Ondimba and her son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, to 20 years in prison each after finding them guilty of large-scale corruption and embezzlement of public funds.

The verdict, delivered on Wednesday after a two-day trial, marks a major twist in Gabon’s political landscape following the 2023 military coup that ousted former President Ali Bongo Ondimba. Both Sylvia and Noureddin were tried in absentia, having left the country earlier this year for London on what officials described as “medical grounds.”

According to court findings, Sylvia Bongo, 62, was accused of manipulating her husband and influencing state affairs to divert public funds during his 14-year presidency. Her son, Noureddin, 33, was also found guilty of orchestrating and profiting from the embezzlement scheme.

Both defendants have denied all charges, dismissing the proceedings as politically motivated. In an interview with AFP last week, Noureddin described the case as a “legal farce,” alleging that the current authorities were using the courts to punish his family.

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Former President Ali Bongo, who ruled Gabon from 2009 until his ouster in August 2023, is not facing prosecution. He had succeeded his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled the oil-rich Central African nation for more than four decades until his death in 2009.

After the coup that brought General Brice Oligui Nguema to power, Sylvia and Noureddin were detained for nearly 20 months. They later alleged they were tortured during detention — claims denied by the new administration. The duo subsequently filed a lawsuit in France in 2024 accusing Gabonese authorities of abuse and torture.

Prosecutor Eddy Minang said during the hearing that testimonies from witnesses and co-accused revealed a “systematic diversion of public funds for private gain.” Ten former senior officials linked to the Bongo family are also standing trial for alleged complicity in the crimes, with proceedings expected to continue until Friday.

President Oligui, officially sworn in earlier this year, has denied any political interference in the case, insisting that the trial was fair and transparent.

The Bongos, who both hold French citizenship, maintain that they will not return to Gabon, claiming their safety cannot be guaranteed.

Gabon court jails ex-first Lady Sylvia Bongo, son for 20 years over corruption