In Gabon, the trial of Ike Ngouoni for embezzlement of public funds, concession and money laundering opened on Monday, July 25. Responsible for Gabonese presidential communication from 2017 to November 2019. Close to Brice Laccruche Alihanga, he has been in prison for almost three years.
With our correspondent in Libreville, Yves-Laurent Goma
Ike Ngouoni appeared before the special criminal court next to his former assistant. Both are being prosecuted for embezzlement of public funds, embezzlement and money laundering. According to the prosecution, during the 26 months of his duties as president, Ike Ngouoni would have managed 7.2 billion CFA francs. ” You are before the Court to justify your management, you risk 20 years in prison and a fine of 100 million CFA francs “warned the president of the court.
The questioning began with the source of the funds in question. ” The money came from a private account of the head of state “, argues the defense. ” Also from the public treasury “replied the public prosecutor. The debates are stormy, the audience is suspended. At the recovery, the court decides: it is public funds. The accusation is therefore founded.
The debates then focused on the beneficiaries of the funds. There are journalists who are in Gabon and abroad. ” It was to protect the image of the President of the Republic, to defend his policy, his wife and his children “, explained to Ike Ngouoni. ” Rpouring money into deputies and opponents? ask the court. “ It was in the context of my duties as political adviser to the President “, he defended himself. The hearing was suspended at 6 p.m., it resumes on Tuesday.