Angola court orders seizure of Isabel dos Santos’ assets

A court in Angola has ordered the seizure of assets and bank accounts related to Isabel dos Santos, daughter of ex-President Eduardo dos Santos and Africa’s richest woman. 

The court ordered the freezing of Ms Dos Santos’ Angolan bank accounts and the confiscation of any stake in local companies. The government says it is seeking to recover the US$1bn it claims it is owed by Isabel dos Santos and her associates. 

The move comes as part of President Joao Lourenço’s national anti-corruption drive, which has already implicated Jose Filomeno dos Santos, brother of Isabel, on charges of money-laundering and embezzlement. 

Ms Dos Santos has repeatedly denied wrongdoing during her father’s term in office. The 46-year old now lives abroad and runs a large business empire with stakes in companies in Angola and Portugal. She is estimated by Forbes magazine to have a fortune worth US$2.2bn.

In a statement she condemned what she described as a “politically motivated attack” against her, alleging that the trial had been conducted in secret and with no representation for the accused. 

“I have spent the last 24 hours trying to give assurances to my staff and all the families affected by this order that we must not give in. I will use all the instruments of Angolan and international law at my disposal to fight this order and ensure the truth comes out”, she said. 

Photo credit: Getty Images