Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze's lawyers accuse Gabonese justice system of procedural violations
via Gabon Review3 min read
Lawyers for Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, former Prime Minister of the Gabonese Republic and a political opponent, have issued a press release from Paris and Libreville on June 2, 2026, detailing alleged procedural violations in his detention. Bilie-By-Nze has been incarcerated at Libreville's central prison since April 15, 2026, placed under a committal order the following day for events dating back to 2008. His lawyers contend the accusations are baseless and that his detention is null due to a series of procedural breaches. The defense first requested an interrogation of Bilie-By-Nze from investigating judge Wilfried Adjondo on April 30, 2026. According to Article 96 of the Gabonese Code of Criminal Procedure, the judge had eight days to respond or issue a reasoned rejection. The judge reportedly failed to respond within this legal timeframe. On May 11, the defense appealed to the Indictment Chamber of the Libreville Court of Appeal, presided over by Mrs. Ovangue Iguendja and including Mrs. Danielle Antsouo Aboudou and Mrs. Elsa Biyeghe Bicke, to order the interrogation. The law stipulates an eight-day deadline for this chamber to rule, failing which the procedure becomes null. The chamber did not rule by May 19, 2026. On May 22, the defense reiterated its request to the Indictment Chamber, highlighting "twelve days of obstinate and complicit silence" and demanding the chamber acknowledge the nullity under Article 96 and order Bilie-By-Nze's immediate release. The public pros
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