By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A special criminal court in Gabon on Monday opened the trial of Sylvia Bongo Ondimba and Noureddin Bongo Valentin, the wife and son of the country’s former President Ali Bongo in connection with corruption allegation.
The trial of the duo is expected to continue throughout the week despite their absence. The former first lady and her son are believed to be in London on exile and have refused to appear in court.
They are among 13 people accused of having misused the resources of the Gabonese people for their own gain during the presidency of Ali Bongo.
The defendants face 12 charges including embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, active corruption and forging official documents.
Sylvia and her son were arrested in August 2023, after the coup that ousted President Ali Bongo, bringing to an end the 55-year rule of the Bongo family in the West African nation.
The accused persons spent about 20 months in detention until their release in May 2025.
They claim to have suffered torture during their imprisonment in Libreville.
“The treatment of our family has been criminal and cruel, and we will fight to the end to ensure that the truth is known and justice is done,” they said in a statement in July.
Both individuals deny all charges against them, condemning the trial they say is being made for show. Noureddin Bongo has argued the proceedings do not meet “the conditions for a fair and equitable trial.”
The coup leader, Brice Oligui Nguema has since transformed into a civilian leader through an April 2025 election in which he won over 90% of votes.
