Siblings locked in bitter court battle over despot dad's fortune - 13 years after his death

Omar Bongo died in June 2009, but two of his daughters are locked in a bitter legal battle over the fortune he left behind, one claiming over 30 siblings were defrauded of their money

Omar Bongo, photographed with his daughter Pascaline accused of having siphoned off his fortune (

Image: Paris Match via Getty Images)

Two siblings are locked in a bitter legal battle for the fortune of their father, an African despot who died 13 years ago.

Omar Bongo was one of Africa's longest serving leaders as President of Gabon for 42 years.

When he died in June 2009, he divided his fortune among 53 heirs, including more than 30 of his children.

But now his 66-year-old daughter, Pascaline Bongo, is accused of stealing the fortune and spending lavishly on her life of luxury.

One of her siblings rallied behind her and accused her of siphoning off money from the vast fortune and wasting it on jewelry, luxury vacations, yachts and private jets.

The late president of Gabon whose children continue to fight for his fortune (

Picture:

Getty Images)

She is also accused of then lying and concealing the true size of her fortune to more than 50 heirs, mostly her siblings, all in an alleged attempt to defraud them of the wealth after she named executor. without consent.

In court documents filed by Yamilee Bongo-Astier and Sasha Bongo-Astier, one of Pascaline's sisters and nieces who live in New York, they seek at least $50m (£41m) from 'lost legacy.

The mother-daughter duo claim Pascaline refused to show her siblings the full will and "transferred the assets" to herself, four other people and two companies - which are all listed as defendants in the case, the court papers...