Omar al-Bashir, the ousted dictator of Sudan, was given $90 million (£74 million) from senior Saudi royals before he was overthrown, investigators said at the start of his corruption trial.

Just four months after he was forced from the power, the 75-year-old former strongman sat in a metal cage as prosecutors of the state he once ruled levelled accusations against him.

The scene in the Khartoum courtroom illustrated how quickly Bashir had fallen, going from Sudan’s all-powerful leader of 30 years to a defendant in a simple white robe and turban.

Bashir is charged with illicit possession of foreign currency and accepting gifts through unofficial channels.

Ahmed Ali Mohamed, a police detective, told the court that Bashir had admitted to receiving $25 million from Mohammed bin Salman, the powerful crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

The detective said Bashir received another $65 million from former King Abdullah, who died in 2015. He said Bashir claimed to have given the money away in donations but gave no details.