Ruslan Obiang Nsue, the son of Equatorial Guinea’s President, appeared in a Malabo court on Monday, facing charges related to the illegal sale of a national airline’s aircraft. Nsue, who admitted to the offense, is currently on trial for his involvement in selling the plane, which has sparked significant controversy.
According to AFP reports, the prosecution is pushing for an 18-year prison sentence for Nsue, along with a hefty fine of 500 million CFA Francs, equivalent to $847,000.
At 49 years old, Nsue faces serious allegations, including “abuse of power, abuse of office, misuse of public interest assets, and embezzlement of public funds.” However, the trial has been put on hold indefinitely, with no date set for a verdict.
The case dates back to November 2022, when Equatorial Guineaās authorities initiated investigations following the mysterious disappearance of an aircraft owned by the national airline, Ceiba Intercontinental. The plane in question, an ATR 72-500, had been undergoing routine maintenance in Spain since 2018.
As the investigation unfolded, it was discovered that the aircraft had been sold to Binter Technic Company, a Spanish aircraft maintenance firm. Nsue confessed in court, stating, “I acknowledge a contract for the sale of the plane for 250,000 euros ($277,900), but I only received 125,000, which I deposited into my bank account in Spain.”
Nsue previously held the position of deputy general manager at Ceiba Intercontinental before his removal. He also served as Secretary of State for Sports and Youth.
Following his arrest in 2023, Nsue was placed under house arrest, a decision ordered by his half-brother, Nguema Obiang Mangue, who serves as the vice president of Equatorial Guinea.
The president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, now 82, has led Equatorial Guinea for 45 years, following his coup against his uncle in 1979. He is currently the worldās longest-serving ruler who is not a monarch.
This isn’t the first time the president’s family has faced legal trouble. In July 2021, President Obiang’s eldest son, Teodorin Nguema Obiang Mangue, was sentenced by a French court to a three-year suspended prison term and fined 30 million euros for embezzling public funds. The sale of his assets in France brought in 6 million euros.
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