Ex-French President to face trial over campaign funding

Two French investigating magistrates have decided that former French President Nicolas Sarkozy should stand trial for alleged illegal financing of election expenses during his 2012 campaign.

Prosecutors revealed that the former leader using false billing from a public relations firm called Bygmalion, expended nearly double the legal limit of $24m on his lavish election campaign.

Read also: More than 13,000 inmates hanged by Syrian authorities, Amnesty Int’l says

However, Sarkozy’s lawyer announced plans to appeal the decision and it is understood that 13 other individuals will also go on trial over the so-called “Bygmalion Affair”.

On his part, Sarkozy earlier told investigators he knew nothing about the billing and put the responsibility squarely on Bygmalion and the UMP.

Recall last year that Sarkozy failed in a presidential comeback bid after losing to ex-Prime Minister Francois Fillon.

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now