The wife of Gabon’s ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba and two former ministers have been charge with “money laundering” and other offences.
The prosecutor in Libreville announced on Friday, according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Sylvia Bongo Valentin has been under house arrest in the capital since her husband was overthrown on August 30, moments after being proclaimed the winner in a presidential election.
Her eldest son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, along with several of his associates, had been charged with high treason and corruption and currently being held in detention.
No fewer than 10 people have been indicted on a range of serious allegations, including corruption, embezzlement of public funds, and money laundering, as revealed by Libreville prosecutor, Andre-Patrick Roponat.
However, at present, seven of the indicted individuals have been placed in detention, while an intriguing development involves Sylvia Bongo, the wife of Ali Bongo, who has been put under house arrest in the capital city of Libreville.
Authorities have cited “her protection” as the reason behind this move. Sylvia Bongo had previously been speculated to be preparing her son, Noureddine Bongo, to succeed his father in a political capacity. In December 2019, Noureddin Bongo was appointed as the general coordinator of presidential affairs by his father.
