Equatorial Guinea calls on UN's highest court to end case against vice- president

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday began hearing a case filed by Equatorial Guinea against France.

Equatorial Guinea called on the UN’s highest court to urgently order France to stop a criminal case against its vice president Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who is a son to the country’s president, arguing that he is immune from prosecution.

The hearing comes a week before the vice president is scheduled to appear before a French court to answer the charges.

He is accused of acquiring real estate, luxury cars and other goods in France with public funds from his country.

The case is part of a long- running corruption probe targeting leaders from Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo, alleging they used public funds to enrich themselves.

Equatorial Guinea filed a case with the world court earlier this year arguing that France breached international law by ignoring Obiang’s immunity and the diplomatic immunity of the Avenue Foch property.

It is now requesting urgent action to halt the Paris trial while the world court case continues.

France is due to address the court on Tuesday.

Reuters