The tiny republic of San Marino has confiscated €19 million (£17 million) stashed in its banks by one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

The money was allegedly deposited by Denis Sassou Nguesso, the president of the Republic of Congo, the former French colony also known as Congo-Brazzaville.

The seizure of the money by authorities in San Marino, which covers just 23 square miles and is entirely surrounded by Italy, followed an investigation into money laundering.

The €19 million – one of the largest sums ever seized by the republic - was just part of €69 million that was deposited in the republic’s banks by President Sassou Nguesso and his entourage between 2006 and 2011.

It was kept in 36 separate accounts, some of them belonging to the president’s relatives, investigators said.

The money funded a lavish lifestyle for the president and his circle, with €114,000 spent on crocodile skin shoes, €2.3 million splurged on watches, and hotel stays in Paris that cost up to €11,000 a night.

“This was an important result which crowns the investigations by the courts of the Republic of San Marino,” said Nicola Renzi, the country’s foreign minister. “It demonstrates our capacity to fight against international money laundering.”