Former Envoy's Conviction Upheld: Taiwan High Court Affirms Suspended Sentence for Embezzlement

Ex-Representative to Nigeria's Suspended Sentence Stands, Highlighting Accountability in Diplomatic Corps

Taipei, May 1 – The Taiwan High Court has upheld the suspended sentence given to former Taiwanese diplomat Yang Wen-sheng (楊文昇), who served as head of Taiwan's representative office in Nigeria.

The High Court found no basis to overturn the previous verdict, which was initially handed down by the Taipei District Court.

Yang Wen-sheng (楊文昇) held the position of representative in Nigeria from July 2018 to September 2020. His conviction stemmed from allegations of misusing representation allowance funds for personal expenses.

According to the indictment, Yang Wen-sheng (楊文昇) used the funds, totaling US$483.36, for personal expenses, including family meals and groceries.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office indicted the former diplomat for potential violations of the Anti-Corruption Act and the Criminal Code, specifically related to document falsification.

Prosecutors recommended leniency, citing Yang Wen-sheng's (楊文昇) admission of guilt and repayment of the misused funds, which were less than NT$50,000 (US$1,559).

In October 2024, the district court sentenced Yang to 24 months in prison and deprivation of civil rights for a year, both suspended for five years. The court also mandated 150 hours of community service under probationary supervision for the same period.

Yang Wen-sheng (楊文昇) appealed the initial ruling, but the High Court rejected the appeal on Thursday. The court stated that as an envoy stationed abroad, he had betrayed the trust placed in him and abused his position for personal enrichment.

The ruling can still be appealed.