Metro

Son of ousted Gabon’s president charged with treason, fraud

Published

8 months ago

September 20, 2023

The Gabonese military junta have charged Noureddin Bongo Valentin, the eldest son of ousted President Ali Bongo, with treason and corruption, and have placed him in custody, state prosecutors have confirmed.

Valentin was, on Wednesday, charged alongside several allies of the deposed Bongo, including former presidential spokesman, Jessye Ella Ekogha, as well as four others close to the former leader.

The 30-year-old Valentin was co-ordinator of presidential affairs in 2019 and remained in the post for 21 months, before the coup.

Also charged were the ex-President’s Chief of Staff, Ian Ghislain Ngoulou, two other presidential advisers, and the two top officials in the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG).

The six are accused of treason, embezzlement, corruption and falsifying the president’s signature, among other allegations.

Top Libreville prosecutor, Andre-Patrick Roponat, who spoke with newsmen after the brief court session, said the accused “have been charged and placed in provisional detention.”

The arraignment of Valentin, who was one of the most powerful men in Bongo’s government, came after his initial arrest alongside his mother, Sylvia Bongo, on August 30, a few days after the military overthrew the president in a coup.

Bongo, 64, who had ruled the oil-rich central African country since 2009, was ousted by the military leaders a few hours after the country’s electoral commission had proclaimed him the winner in a presidential election which many said was marred by massive rigging and irregularities.

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Metro

‘Rights must go with responsibilities,’ traditional leader cautions on use of social media

Published

10 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Mansa, Luapula Province: Annette Katema, the Head Woman of Chitumbi Village in Mansa District, voices concerns about the detrimental effects of irresponsible social media usage.

In a recent interview with Zambia Monitor, Katema argued that social media platforms were contributing to delinquency among the youth, particularly platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Facebook.

“Children are being exposed to inappropriate content on WhatsApp, which is harmful to their upbringing. Social media platforms are fostering moral decay,” remarked Head Woman Chitumbi.

She stated that this trend undermined the cultural values that were essential for societal cohesion.

Katema expressed reservations about the prevalence of nudity and offensive language on social media, calling for stricter moderation.

She advocated for proactive measures to steer young people away from harmful online content, suggesting the revitalization of traditional recreational activities like playhouses and sports.

“Instead of solely relying on punitive measures, let’s invest in creating positive alternatives to counter the allure of social media,” Katema proposed.

She urged the youth to uphold traditional values alongside their digital rights, stating the importance of responsible behavior online.

“We should not lose respect in the name of digital rights because rights should go with responsibilities,” the traditional leader said.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

President Tinubu finally returns to Nigeria amid speculations over his absence

Published

14 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

After spending the last two weeks out of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has finally returned to the country.

Tinubu, who returned to Nigeria on Wednesday morning, had departed the country two weeks ago, on April 23, for The Netherlands for a three-day official visit, honouring an invitation from the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte.

While in the European country, Tinubu participated in the Nigerian-Dutch Business and Investment Forum, which brought together heads of conglomerates and organisations in both countries.

After his engagements in The Netherlands, Tinubu, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, proceeded to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend a World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development which held between April 28–29.

However, after the summit, the president did not return to the country as he was said to have proceeded to London for a private visit which gave room to speculations over his health.

The Nigerian Presidency did not also help matters as there was no official statement on the President’s engagements, nor were they willing to douse the tension created by his absence, leading to Nigerians raising posers with the hashtag #WhereisTinubu.

In a tweet on Tuesday evening, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had revealed that Tinubu would be back in the country on Wednesday.

“President Bola Tinubu, along with his aides, will return to Nigeria tomorrow from Europe,” he had written.

The recent foreign trip was Tinubu’s 20th since assuming office on May 29, 2023, effectively logging 96 days abroad, which has made him one of Africa’s most globe-trotting leaders.

In his less than one year in office, President Tinubu has visited Paris, France (thrice); London, the United Kingdom (twice); Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic, New Delhi, India.

He has also taken a trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (twice); Berlin, Germany; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dakar, Senegal; Doha, Qatar; and The Hague, The Netherlands.