On January 7, 2019, in Gabon, a command group led by Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang took control of national radio to broadcast a message about the takeover of a group of young officers. The involvement of loyalist forces quickly put an end to the coup attempt. Two years later, Kelly Ondo and his aides appear before the special military court.
as reported from Libreville, Yves-Laurent Goma
This Thursday, Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang and his eight co-accused, entered a cramped room, in the accused’s box, for the third time since the hearings on 18 and 21 June. Their lawyers raised several exceptions to unconstitutionality. They particularly challenge the jurisdiction of the Special Military Court.
According to them, the penal code states that when a procedure involves at least one civilian, this court is no longer competent. This is the case with Ballack Obame, an opposition activist who is among the accused. “My clients are ready, even though the court today has stood up as a constitutional judge instead of a constitutional court. We are really disappointed, but we are ready to show that if my customers stood up it was to prevent a cup who was preparing, explains Jean-Paul Moumbembe, defense attorney.
Me Homa Moussavou, Public Prosecutor, refused to speak to the press. In the end, the court rejected all the defense attorneys’ claims. She declared herself competent. The next hearing is scheduled for Monday with questioning of witnesses.
.
