Wife of Deposed Gabon President Charged With Money Laundering
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Sylvia Valentin Bongo Ondimba, First Lady of Gabon and wife of ousted President, Ali Bongo, is facing charges of money laundering.
She has also been accused of forgery, receiving stolen goods, and fraud.
Public prosecutor Andre Patrick Roponat made the announcement on Friday, September 29, about a month after the coup that deposed her husband.
Her case was brought before an examining magistrate the day before.
The initial house arrest for her since the president was toppled on August 30 is as a result being upheld.
Ali Bongo who has ruled Gabon since 2009 was ousted in a military coup in August soon after emerging winner in a much disputed presidential election.
He was soon after placed under house arrest and later released and cleared to travel abroad for medical care should he choose to do so.
The military leaders and opposition members who instigated the coup described the election as a fraud, further branding Bongo’s regime as perpetuating bad governance and corruption.
His son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin has already been slapped with charges of corruption and embezzlement of state funds alongside former cabinet members and ministers.