GABON’S OUSTED FIRST FAMILY FALLS: EX-FIRST LADY, SON BAG 20-YEAR JAIL TERMS FOR MASSIVE CORRUPTION

Read Time:1 Minute, 45 Second

A special criminal court in Libreville, Gabon, has sentenced the country’s former First Lady, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, and her son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, to 20 years imprisonment for corruption-related offences.

The court found Sylvia Bongo guilty of embezzlement of public funds and money laundering, while her son, Noureddin, was convicted of embezzlement of public funds, usurpation of titles and functions, aggravated money laundering, and criminal association.

Both were tried in absentia, as they were not present during the two-day proceedings.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of 100 million CFA francs (approximately $172,900) on both convicts. Noureddin was also ordered to pay an additional 1.2 trillion CFA francs (about $2.1 billion) in damages.

According to court documents, investigators found that the former First Lady and her son diverted state funds for personal use between 2018 and 2023. Prosecutors alleged that while former President Ali Bongo Ondimba was incapacitated by a stroke in 2018, his wife and son managed parallel government operations, moving public funds through offshore accounts, shell companies, and front businesses.

READ ALSO:

WORLD BANK REVEALS MOST SOCIAL BENEFITS MISS NIGERIA’S POOREST HOUSEHOLDS

Ali Bongo, who ruled Gabon for 14 years before being ousted in a military coup in August 2023, was not charged in the case.

Sylvia and Noureddin were initially detained following the coup and held for about 20 months before being released on medical grounds in May 2025. Reports indicate that they subsequently left the country for London.

The ruling marks one of the most significant corruption convictions in Gabon’s history and is seen as part of the transitional government’s drive to hold the former ruling family accountable for alleged financial crimes committed during their decades in power.

However, critics have questioned the fairness of the trial, describing it as politically motivated. Noureddin Bongo reportedly dismissed the process as a “legal farce,” while family representatives claimed the proceedings lacked independence and transparency.

Trials of other officials linked to the Bongo administration are expected to continue in the coming weeks.