By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Wife of Gabon’s deposed leader Ali Bongo jailed
Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, Wife of Deposed Gabonese President, Jailed on Embezzlement Charges
In a significant development following the recent coup in Gabon, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin, the wife of the ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba, has been placed under arrest. This move comes after she was under house arrest since the coup in late August, as per her lawyer Francois Zimeray. Valentin faces charges of money laundering, forgery, and falsification of records, with the arrest being described as an “arbitrary… illegal procedure” by her legal representative.
The military, which orchestrated the coup, has accused the former president and his close associates of manipulating election results. Furthermore, they openly assert that Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Valentin has been exerting undue influence over her husband since he suffered a severe stroke in 2018. This arrest marks a significant development in the unfolding political situation in Gabon.