LIBREVILLE, Gabon — A special criminal court in Gabon has sentenced Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, the former first lady, and her son Noureddin Bongo Valentin to 20 years in prison in absentia after finding them guilty of embezzling public funds.
The verdict, delivered Tuesday night, also imposed a fine of 100 million CFA francs (about €152,000) on both defendants.
Charges and Convictions
- Sylvia Bongo was convicted of money laundering, misappropriation of funds, and incitement to forgery.
- Noureddin Bongo was found guilty of extortion, theft of titles and positions, aggravated money laundering, and criminal conspiracy.
Following the ruling, Noureddin Bongo posted on X denying the allegations, stating: “I have never embezzled money and I will continue to fight for the truth before independent legal authorities.”
Background
The prosecution argued that Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo operated a system designed to divert public money “for private interests.”
Both were arrested in August 2023, shortly after the coup that ended the 55-year rule of the Bongo family. They spent nearly 20 months in detention before being released in May 2025. Currently in exile in London, they refused to appear in court, and their lawyers were absent from the proceedings.
Political Context
The Bongos have denounced the trial as politically motivated. Their sentencing marks one of the most high-profile corruption cases in Gabon since the military takeover that ousted former president Ali Bongo Ondimba.