In Gabon, the trial of the former general manager of Gabon Oil Company, the national hydrocarbon company. Christian Patrichi Tanasa, opened yesterday, Monday, July 18. Incarcerated as part of a “clean hands” operation, he was one of Gabon’s strong men between 2018 and 2019 when Ali Bongo suffered a stroke. Record of hearing.
with our correspondent in Libreville, Yves-Laurent Goma
After two years and seven months of preventive detention, during this first appearance, Christian Patrichi Tanasa appeared in good shape.
In front of the bar, he was in the company of the treasurer and a former executive of the company. All are prosecuted for embezzlement or complicity in embezzlement and money laundering. The details of these charges were revealed during the reading of the judgment which authorizes the opening of the trial. We learned that in one year of office, Christian Patrichi Tanasa and his collaborators would have embezzled several billion FCFA. The name of Brice Laccruche Alihangaformer chief of staff of Ali Bongo is cited several times as the beneficiary of disbursements.
During the reading of this judgment, the defendants were like on cloud nine. When the court wanted to question them, their lawyers objected: they demanded that the firms that audited the company’s accounts, the oil minister at the time and the state judicial agency be heard as witnesses.
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After a heated debate, the court dismissed the defense lawyers. The hearing was adjourned. The case will be examined in the fund on Tuesday.