Angolan lawyers pose landmark challenge to president

A group of Angolan lawyers has filed a landmark petition challenging veteran leader Eduardo dos Santos's nomination of his daughter, Africa's richest woman, as the head of the national oil company.

Isabel dos Santos was named head of troubled oil firm Sonangol in June in a move that some analysts see as the first sign of succession plans for Angola's iron-fisted ruler.

David Mendes, a spokesperson for 12 lawyers who filed the petition said the court had given dos Santos and his daughter eight days to respond.