Ex-mayor of Congo capital Brazzaville jailed for corruption

<p>Former mayor of Brazzaville, capital of Congo Republic, Christian Roger Okemba; has been sentenced to 5 years in prison over charges of corruption.</p> <p>Head of the criminal court of Brazzaville, Christian Oba, confirmed that, the former mayor was found guilty of embezzling of public funds. His wife, Anastasie Eléonore Okemba, was also handed a three-year suspended sentence.</p> <p>The Okembas are to pay the Brazzaville mayor’s office a fine of 304,000 euros in addition to their sentences. Six other co-accused persons were found guilty of complicity, including former budget director general, Nicolas Okandzi</p> <p>According to his lawyers, they will file an appeal. Okemba had been accused in February by municipal officials of transferring more than 1.9 million euros to a private account for the municipality.</p> <p>Dieudonné Bantsimba succeeded him in May to complete his term of office, which runs until 2022.</p> <style>.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }</style><div class='embed-container'><iframe src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AKkksIPtVHA' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe></div>