Ex-Gabon First Lady to remain in prison after investigative judge rejects bailout request

Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, wife of Gabon’s former leader Ali Bongo Ondimba, will remain in detention in Libreville main prison after the investigative judge turned down her defense team’s bailout request, ‘Gabon Review’ reports.

The Franco-Gabonese woman was sent to prison on October 12, after long hours of hearing in an alleged case of money laundering and other offenses, including concealment and forgery.

A public prosecutor charged her on September 29 for the offenses one month after her husband was removed from power by the current transitional leader General Brice Oligui Nguema.

The investigative judge had given her defense 10 days to prepare evidence for her release on bail but the lawyers failed to secure her release (on bail), Gabon Review reports citing the court.

The judge ruled for the extension of her detention until her trial begins. Sylvia Bongo Ondimba had been under house arrest in the capital Libreville since her husband was overthrown.

Her eldest son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, has also been charged with corruption and embezzling public funds with several former Cabinet members and two ex-ministers.