Sylvia and Nourredin Bongo, the wife and son of former Gabonese President Ali Bongo, were sentenced to 20 years in prison for massive embezzlement of public funds by a court in Libreville in November 2025. Their conviction was conducted in their absence and without the representation of their lawyers, raising concerns about the fairness of the trial. In a letter dated February 23, 2026, their legal team accused the Gabonese prosecutor, Eddy Minang, of dishonoring his university degree obtained from France by orchestrating their conviction.

The defense's assertion is particularly striking given that Prosecutor Minang obtained his law doctorate from Paris Panthéon-Assas in 2023. The Bongo family's lawyers are requesting that the prosecutor's degree be revoked, arguing this will reflect the lack of integrity they attribute to his legal conduct in this high-profile case. This situation highlights the turmoil within Gabon's judicial system and the political implications of the legal actions taken against members of the Bongo family.

This case reflects ongoing tensions in Gabon, particularly following the ousting of President Ali Bongo in 2023, and brings to light issues surrounding judicial independence and political corruption. The actions of the prosecutor are portrayed by the Bongo family as politically motivated, and their ongoing legal battle serves as a microcosm of the broader struggles in Gabon as it navigates its post-Bongo era. The international community will likely monitor these developments closely as they could signify broader issues of governance in the region.