Summoned last week twice by the judicial police, Hervé Patrick Opiangah, former Minister of Mines, is now nowhere to be found. His lawyers maintain that they have not heard from him. Monday, November 25, a rumor widely relayed on social networks claimed that the president of the Union for Democracy and Social Integration (Udis) had found refuge at the United States embassy in Libreville. Information denied by this one.
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With our correspondent in Libreville, Yves-Laurent Goma
“ We unequivocally state that these rumors are false », insisted the United States Embassy Gabon in a press release. The Opiangah affair broke out on November 20, 2024 when the latter received a summons from the judicial police. He didn’t show up. And would have even ignored a second complaint filed at his home last Friday. He is now nowhere to be found. His lawyers say they do not know where he is or the reasons for his summons.
Political harassment of loved ones
According to Gabon 1ère, national television, the order to arrest Hervé Patrick Opiangah came from the public prosecutor following a complaint for violence, incest, kidnapping and use of forgery. A complaint filed by his father-in-law who accuses him of having abused a minor, in particular his wife’s daughter.
Those close to Hervé Patrick Opiangah denounce political harassment for their part. The former minister campaigned for the “no” vote in the recent referendum. “ It is indeed a matter of morals », insisted national television.
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