EQUATORIAL GUINEA
EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Teodorin Obiang loses another lawsuit against France
Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, already sentenced in February 2020 by the Paris Court of Appeal, still loses a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The court’s verdict proves France right in the context of the ill-gotten gains affair between the two countries.
The UN court ruled in favor of France, pronouncing the following verdict: “The building at 42, avenue Foch in Paris has never acquired the status of diplomatic mission of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in the French Republic.” A sentence that could surprise the Equatorial Guinean authorities who had requested the opening of this trial by filing a complaint against France after the search carried out by the French police at the home of the president’s son in 2012. An operation during which the French authorities had seized the property worth 107 million euros and several other assets. An act deemed illegal by Equatorial Guinea, which had not hesitated to file a complaint with the high UN jurisdiction. As for France, it had quite simply specified that this property was a good acquired illicitly by the son of the president with the public funds of his country.
It is thus a new judicial failure for Teodorin Obiang Mangue, moreover, vice-president of Equatorial Guinea since 2016. In fact, in February 2020, he was sentenced to three years in prison suspended and 30 million euros. ‘euros fine for having illegally acquired immense property on French soil.
CENTRAL AFRICA
EQUATORIAL GUINEA – Country sanctions four Brazilian companies after diplomatic dispute
Equatorial Guinea announced on Wednesday 14 June 2023 that it had ordered the “preventive seizure” of 80 billion CFA francs (over 120 million euros) of assets of four Brazilian companies established in the country after a diplomatic dispute in 2018.
According to AFP, in September 2018, more than $16 million (around €14.7 million) in cash and jewellery had been seized by the Brazilian authorities in the luggage of a delegation accompanying the vice-president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mango.
Known as Teodorin, he is the son of Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been running the country since 1979, the world record for longevity in power for a head of state living outside monarchy.
As the delegation was not on an official mission, only Teodorin enjoyed diplomatic immunity and the other 11 members of the delegation had their luggage searched by the Brazilian customs and were interrogated, had at the time indicated Brazilian media.
Brazilian law prohibits entry into the country with a quantity of species greater than 10,000 reais (about 1,900 euros).
Since that incident, the Equatorial Guinea Public Prosecutor’s Office had filed a claim for “damages” before the Equato-Guinean courts after learning “The seizure, appraisal and auction of goods of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, including the property that houses the diplomatic services in the city of Sao Paulo,” says a statement issued by the Equatorial Guinea-Vice Presidency on Wednesday.
The Equatorial Guinean justice has granted this request and recognized an injury of 80 billion CFA francs (121.8 million euros) to the benefit of Equatorial Guinea which may be compensated by the “preventive seizure of property” of four Brazilian construction companies “owned by the State”: ARG, LTDA, ZAGOPE, and OAS GE, says the Vice-President.
The injury may also be “charged against the credit balances” of these companies to the public administration, adds the same source.
The Brazilian authorities have not acted on AFP’s demands in the immediate future.
“Finally, after five years, Equatorial Guinea has done justice thanks to its own institutions after the diplomatic incident in Campinas (Sao Paulo State), in Brazil in 2018,” Teodorin said on Twitter.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
EQUATRIAL GUINEA – Malabo closes embassy in London after sanctions against vice president Obiang
Equatorial Guinea announced on Monday the closure of its embassy in London following sanctions imposed for alleged corruption by the United Kingdom against Equatorial Guinea Vice-President Teodorin Obiang Mangue, who is also the President’s son, have we learned from official sources.
Thus, Malabo will “proceed with the total closure” of its diplomatic mission in London, said Monday Simeon Oyono Esono, Minister of Foreign Affairs on TVGE, state television.
Vice President Obiang Mangue was sanctioned last Thursday by the British authorities, who accuse him of “embezzlement of public funds” and bribes that would have allowed him to finance a lifestyle considered lavish.
Image Contrast
In the country, man maintains a carefully elaborated image.
In a profile published at the end of June on YouTube on the occasion of its 53rd anniversary, the press service of the vice presidency portrays Obiang as an accomplished senior official.
A military officer with the rank of Major General, he was responsible for the defence of the country. Previously, he was Ambassador to UNESCO and had previously served as Minister. He is also the owner of the only privately owned media company in Equatorial Guinea, Asonga Radio and Television. A philanthropist, he is nicknamed “Santa Claus of Equatorial Guinea”, says the video.
But in the Western world, Mr. Obiang is perceived in a completely different way.
Son of 79-year-old Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who has ruled Equatorial Guinea for over 41 years, Teodorin – Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue for civil status – reportedly spent more than $500 million on the acquisition of luxury residences around the world, a private jet, cars and collectibles related to singer Michael Jackson.
He had also been named in various so-called “ill-gotten goods” cases in Switzerland and the United States. Accusations he dismissed.
“Interference”
“We do not allow interference in the internal affairs of our country,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, continuing that the sanctions “violate the principle of international law”.
These measures, which include freezing assets and prohibitions on entry into the UK, were taken as part of an anti-corruption sanctions regime that had already punished 22 individuals from six different countries in April.
“The baseless sanctions imposed by the British government are justified by the manipulations, lies (…) promoted by some non-governmental organizations against the good image of Equatorial Guinea”, the Equatorial Guinea authorities reacted on Saturday, calling for the lifting of “unilateral and illegal” sanctions.
Source : VoaAfrique
CENTRAL AFRICA
EQUATORIAL GUINEA – The fate of Teodorin Obiang suspended by the decision of France
The Court of Cassation of France is due to rule, this Wednesday, July 28, 2021, on the appeal lodged by Teodorin Obiang, Vice-President of Equatorial Guinea and son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.Sentenced in Paris on 10 February 2020 to three years in prison with a suspended sentence and a fine of €30 million, the 52-year-old politician filed an appeal to hope that the sentence would be annulled. The Court of Cassation will have two options: to consider that it is not up to France to rule on these ill-gotten assets or to confirm the conviction and proceed with the restitution of these assets to the Equatorial Guinea population.
Teodorin Obiang, Vice-President of Equatorial Guinea, expects, this Wednesday, July 28, the response of the French Court of Cassation following the action he filed after his conviction on 10 February 2020 for having fraudulently disposed of a wealth estimated at 150 million euros in French territory. The French justice system must therefore rule on this sentence imposed on the son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. The French High Court had two options: to declare itself incompetent by holding that the facts had taken place in Equatorial Guinea or to confirm the award and to immediately demand the restitution of ill-gotten property.
Teodorin Obiang, 52, who is responsible for the defence and security of his country, is renowned for his taste for the good life, luxury and comfort. In particular, it has built up a car fleet valued at €5.7 million, composed among others of three Bugatti, one Rolls-Royce and two Maserati. Among the assets seized during the judicial investigation is a luxurious building located on Avenue Foch, and estimated at 107 million euros, in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Paris.
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