Isabel dos Santos, Africa’s first female billionaire and daughter of Angola’s former president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, has launched a vigorous defense against corruption charges in the Portuguese press.
Dos Santos, who achieved the status of Africa’s first female billionaire in 2013, has been thrust into the spotlight following a 45-page indictment by the Angolan justice system for alleged corruption. She has launched a counteroffensive with a detailed cover story featured in the Portuguese magazine Expresso.
The embattled businesswoman refuted the allegations stemming from the so-called Luanda Leaks, which implicated her in corruption scandals. Expressing skepticism over the evidence presented, dos Santos questioned the authenticity of the documents and insinuated manipulation by Angolan secret services.
In an exclusive interview with Expresso, dos Santos addressed the controversy surrounding her business holdings, particularly in Malta, emphasizing transparency and dismissing claims of secrecy. She clarified misconceptions regarding her real estate investments in Lisbon while asserting her innocence.
Dos Santos’ ongoing legal struggles: Unitel stake seizure and corruption allegations
Once regarded as Africa’s richest woman with a net worth exceeding $2 billion, dos Santos faced a significant setback in 2021 when her assets were seized in Angola, Portugal, and the Netherlands, leading to her removal from Forbes’ list.
Legal battles intensified as a London judge froze a substantial portion of her assets in connection with defaults on loans involving Unitel, a telecommunications giant in Angola.
The Angolan government’s seizure of a 50-percent stake in Unitel, jointly held by dos Santos and Leopoldino Fragoso do Nascimento, marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga, reflecting broader anti-corruption efforts in Angola. Critics, however, have raised concerns about potential political bias in the campaign, alleging selective targeting of opposition figures.
Isabel dos Santos denies embezzlement and fraud, citing political persecution
Responding to the charges of embezzlement and fraud earlier this year, dos Santos vehemently denied any wrongdoing, attributing the accusations to political persecution orchestrated by President João Lourenço’s administration.
Her legal counsel, Dan Morrison, denounced the charges as baseless and part of a concerted effort to prevent dos Santos from engaging in political activities in Angola.
Dos Santos remains engaged in legal proceedings across multiple jurisdictions as she strives to vindicate her reputation amidst mounting scrutiny and political turbulence.
