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The corruption trial of Sylvia Bongo, wife of deposed Gabonese leader Ali Bongo, began on Monday in Libreville, with the former first lady absent as she remains in exile.
The 62-year-old is accused of exploiting her husband’s ill health to divert public funds from the oil-rich state for personal gain, allegations she has firmly rejected.
Bongo’s son and co-defendant, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, has denounced the proceedings as a “legal farce”, saying that both he and his mother were tortured during the 20 months they spent in detention following the August 2023 coup that removed Ali Bongo from power and ushered in General Brice Oligui Nguema as the country’s new leader.
Although the trial opened at the Court of Appeal in Gabon’s capital, neither Sylvia nor Noureddin attended. The pair left for London after being granted conditional bail in May for medical reasons. Noureddin said they fear far worse treatment if they return to Gabon.
Only nine of the 12 accused, all described as close associates of the Bongo family, appeared in court as crowds gathered outside to witness the high-profile case.
Deposed president Ali Bongo, who succeeded his father Omar in 2009 after more than four decades of family rule, is not on trial. Prosecutors allege that his stroke in 2018 left him vulnerable to manipulation, enabling his wife and son to assume control and enrich themselves.
State prosecutor Eddy Minang expressed surprise over their absence as proceedings got underway.
Meanwhile, the Bongos have filed a complaint in France, where they hold citizenship, claiming repeated torture by members of Oligui’s circle and accusing the new authorities of exerting political pressure on the judiciary.
President Oligui, who formally assumed office in April, has rejected claims of mistreatment and insists the defendants will receive a fair trial.
