- Former First Lady Sylvia Bongo and son Noureddin Bongo sentenced to 20 years in prison for embezzlement and corruption
- Both fined 100m CFA francs, with Noureddin ordered to pay 1.2tn CFA francs in damages
- Tried in absentia, they called the process a “legal farce”
A court in Gabon has sentenced former First Lady Sylvia Bongo and her son Noureddin Bongo—the wife and son of ousted President Ali Bongo—to 20 years in prison for embezzlement and corruption after a two-day trial.
The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, following proceedings that began the previous day. Both Sylvia and Noureddin were tried in absentia and ordered to pay 100 million CFA francs ($177,000; £135,000) in fines. Noureddin was further directed to pay an additional 1.2 trillion CFA francs ($2.1bn; £1.6bn) in damages to the Gabonese state.
Prosecutors accused the pair of exploiting Ali Bongo’s ill health following his 2018 stroke to control the country’s affairs for personal gain. They denied all allegations, describing the trial as a “legal farce.”
Ali Bongo was deposed in an August 2023 coup led by Brice Oligui Nguema, who later transitioned to civilian leadership and was elected president earlier this year.
After the coup, Sylvia and Noureddin were detained for 20 months before being released in May 2025 and allowed to travel to London for medical treatment. The former president was released from house arrest and has not been charged.
Separately, Swiss prosecutors have confirmed that Sylvia Bongo is also under investigation for money laundering, though no further details have been disclosed.
During the Gabon trial, state prosecutor Eddy Minang expressed surprise at the Bongos’ absence. Noureddin dismissed the court’s decision as a “rubber-stamping exercise,” claiming the verdict was politically motivated and predetermined.
The case has drawn attention for its unusually swift proceedings, which critics say reflect political interference. The trials of nine other co-defendants—former Bongo allies—are still ongoing.
Sylvia and Noureddin, both French nationals, allege they were tortured during their detention and have filed a related complaint in France. Gabonese authorities deny the allegations.
Noureddin, formerly the General Coordinator of Presidential Affairs, was accused of embezzling public funds using forged presidential documents and seals, charges he has rejected.
The Bongo family ruled Gabon for over five decades, first under Omar Bongo (42 years) and then Ali Bongo (14 years). Despite the nation’s oil wealth, about a third of Gabon’s population continues to live below the poverty line, according to the United Nations.
