F ormer Minister Pascal Siffon, brought before the courts for the alleged embezzlement of over 10 billion FCFA, has been referred to an examining magistrate and incarcerated at the Libreville remand center. Profiling of the Ministry of Tourism’s bank accounts at BGFIBank and the CDC reportedly revealed irregularities in the management of public money, including a system of unjustified cash withdrawals.

According to insider reports, former Minister Pascal Ogowé Siffon allegedly attempted to implicate the Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Liliane Ngari, who denies any involvement in the matter. Furthermore, a large mobilization from the former minister's ethnic community surrounded the court, demanding that everyone involved in this case face the same treatment as Pascal Ogowé Siffon.

In addition, the analysis of the Ministry of Tourism’s bank accounts at BGFIBank and the CDC reportedly revealed unjustified withdrawals that did not comply with standard public accounting procedures. These outflows of money were allegedly carried out via certain members of his ministerial cabinet—composed essentially of family members and close friends—who were responsible for withdrawing cash from various ministry accounts. These accounts were funded by economic operators through state participation or shares of revenue owed to the State and collected by the Ministry of Tourism.

In any event, the scales of justice lean toward punishment, given the incarceration of the former minister while waiting for full light to be shed on any potential accomplices.

This case illustrates the new firmness of the Gabonese justice system in its crusade against corruption. The era of elite impunity is over: the embezzlement of public funds, which stifles infrastructure and increases debt, will be relentlessly pursued. "This case marks a decisive turning point," emphasizes our source.

The consequences are expected to be severe: exemplary sentences, full restitution, and reforms to secure financial flows. Gabonese justice appears to be asserting its sovereignty, transforming each scandal into a lever for integrity in governance.