The former First Lady of Gabon, Sylvia Bongo Valentin has been charged with money laundering and other offenses. This was revealed by the public prosecutor on Friday, September 29, 2023.

Valentin, wife of Gabon’s over thrown President, Ali Bongo Ondimba faces the charges a month after a coup toppled her husband.

Prosecutor Andre Patrick Roponat confirmed on state TV channels on Friday, September 29, 2023, that Valentin was charged by an investigating judge on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

“Her house arrest order has also been upheld,” Roponat said.

However, one of her lawyers earlier this month said that, Valentin was being kept isolated outside any legal framework.

Ali Bongo, who took over power when his father Omar died in 2009 after four decades in power, ruled the West African country until he was overthrown in a coup d’etat on August 30, 2023, by General Brice Oligui Nguema after the presidential election, which results were branded fraud by the opposition.

The military coup leaders have also accused his government of widespread corruption and bad governance.

The former first son Noureddin, was charged with corruption and embezzling public funds with several former cabinet members and two ex-ministers in September 2023.