The son of Ali Bongo Ondimba and multiple associates of the deposed Gabonese president have been arrested, charged with high treason and corruption, and placed in custody, the state prosecutor informed media on Wednesday.
Noureddin Bongo Valentin, the eldest son of Bongo, along with Jessye Ella Ekogha, the former presidential spokesperson, and four other individuals closely associated with the ousted leader, have been officially charged and are now in provisional detention, confirmed Libreville prosecutor Andre-Patrick Roponat.
At the age of 64, Bongo, who had been in power in the oil-rich central African nation since 2009, was removed from office by military leaders on August 30, shortly after being declared the victor in a presidential election.
The outcome of the election was denounced as fraudulent by both the opposition and the military coup leaders. They have additionally levelled allegations of extensive corruption and poor governance against his administration.
Simultaneously with the coup, soldiers apprehended one of Bongo’s sons, five high-ranking cabinet officials, and his wife, Sylvia Bongo Valentin.
National television broadcast continuous footage of the individuals who were detained alongside suitcases purportedly containing confiscated cash found in their residences.
