Appellate court rules to maintain detention

Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, a leading figure in the opposition against President Brice Oligui Nguema, has remained incarcerated since April 16 following allegations of breach of trust and fraud dating back to 2008. On Tuesday, the Libreville Court of Appeal dismissed his defense team’s motion to nullify the proceedings, effectively extending his detention. His legal representatives argue that the alleged offenses fall well outside the statute of limitations and lack substantive legal merit.

Defense team alleges procedural irregularities

In an official statement, Me Arthur Vercken, counsel for Bilie-By-Nze, condemned what he described as a ‘glaring violation’ of Gabonese law and fair trial guarantees. The Ensemble pour le Gabon party maintained that the opposition leader was subjected to ‘harsh’ arrest conditions and denied access to legal counsel during the initial hours of his detention prior to formal charges being filed.

President denies executive interference

In response to inquiries regarding the case, President Brice Oligui Nguema emphasized the separation of powers, asserting, ‘This is a private matter with which I have no involvement.’ Formerly serving as Prime Minister under Ali Bongo’s presidency, Bilie-By-Nze contested and lost to Oligui Nguema in the 2025 presidential election. His subsequent arrest followed repeated public criticisms of government policies, including the suspension of social media platforms and proposed revisions to nationality laws.