French Prosecutors Seek Trial for BNP Paribas in Case Against Late Gabon Leader's Family

French prosecutors have formally requested that BNP Paribas, along with more than 20 individuals and corporate entities, including family members of the late Gabonese leader Omar Bongo and the wife of the President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, stand trial in the Paris Criminal Court. The charges stem from alleged offenses such as embezzlement, corruption, and money laundering linked to public funds. The request comes from France’s National Financial Prosecutor’s (PNF) office, which confirmed to reporters that the case originated from a complaint filed in 2008 by Transparency International. This led to an ongoing investigation into the ruling families of Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, and Equatorial Guinea, focusing on their alleged involvement in illicit financial activities. According to the PNF, the office seeks the indictment of five individuals for alleged complicity in laundering proceeds from embezzled public funds and corruption. It also aims to charge BNP Paribas specifically for “aggravated laundering of proceeds from corruption and the embezzlement of public funds.” In addition to these charges, the PNF has requested the indictment of thirteen other individuals, many of whom are family members or close associates of Omar Bongo. These individuals are accused of receiving proceeds from embezzled public funds, corruption, and misuse of corporate assets. The list includes four real estate holding companies (SCIs) owned by some of these individuals. Among those named is Antoinette Tchibota, the current wife of Denis Sassou Nguesso, who is the president of the Republic of the Congo. BNP Paribas responded to inquiries by stating that it contests any criminal liability in the case and emphasized that the facts in question date back to before 2008. The bank indicated it would defend itself vigorously against the allegations. Meanwhile, Tchibota’s lawyer, Jean-Marie Viala, declined to comment, noting that the matter involves only a formal request for referral to trial at this stage. As part of the investigation, a total of 52 properties have been seized, according to the PNF. A French anti-corruption NGO called Sherpa, which is a co-complainant in the case, claims that real estate owned by members of the Bongo family might be the result of misappropriation of public funds during Omar Bongo’s tenure as Gabon’s leader. Sherpa has supported the legal action to hold foreign officials accountable and recover assets believed to have been illegally obtained from other countries. Legal representatives for the Bongo family have criticized the proceedings as politically motivated efforts aimed at seizing their assets. However, a representative from Sherpa welcomed the move, calling it a significant milestone after nearly twelve years of investigation. Jean-Philippe Foegle, a litigation and advocacy officer at Sherpa, described the decision to bring the case to criminal court as a crucial step toward justice for communities affected by the alleged corruption. Omar Bongo, who passed away in 2009, had governed Gabon for over four decades. His rule was marked by allegations of widespread corruption and the accumulation of wealth by his family, which has drawn attention from international organizations and authorities in both France and Gabon. Reports indicate that his family amassed considerable assets during his time in power, despite the country’s status as one of the poorest in Africa.