The special criminal court trial involving Sylvia Bongo Ondimba and Noureddin Bongo Valentin, the wife and son of the former Gabonese president Ali Bongo, began on Monday.
The proceedings started in their absence and are set to continue throughout the current week.
Allegations of Misconduct
The former First Lady and her son are part of a group of 13 individuals facing serious charges. They are accused of misusing financial resources intended for the Gabonese presidency for their own gain.
The defendants collectively face 12 total charges. These charges include the embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, active corruption, and the forging of official documents.
Detention and Current Exile
Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo were arrested in August 2023. This occurred immediately after the military coup that deposed President Ali Bongo. The coup effectively ended the Bongo family’s 55-year hold on power.
The mother and son were detained in Libreville for nearly 20 months. They were released in May 2025. Subsequently, they claimed to have endured torture while imprisoned.
They strongly denied all charges in a statement released in July. They also voiced their commitment to seeking truth and justice. Their statement declared:
“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.”
Political Stance and Refusal to Appear
The former First Lady and her son are currently residing outside Gabon, reportedly in London. Both have refused to participate in the court proceedings.
They continue to assert their innocence regarding all accusations. They publicly criticized the legal process, calling it a show trial. Noureddin Bongo specifically stated the proceedings lacked the requirements for a fair and equitable trial.
The son of the deposed leader has recently used social media frequently. He posted hidden camera content, aiming to expose his treatment by the administration of the current President, Brice Oligui Nguema. The Gabonese presidency has since accused Noureddin Bongo of actively trying to destabilize the country.
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