Forjindam Could Be Freed on May 30, 2012

 

The Public Prosecutor did not submit the reports produced by the experts of the Supreme State Control, a report allegedly done in 2006 during a control mission and handed to the Presidency of the Republic. It should be noted that it was on the bases of that report that Zacheusse Forjindam was sentenced to 12 years in prison, then those facts on appeal that had ended in March last. During the hearing yesterday, Tuesday, May 15, 2012 the Court of Appeals for the Littoral was newly formed and in his opening remarks the President said that "the composition of the Court has changed. The speed of the other part of the trial will depend on you because the debates will be repeated again and will be opened" These introductory remarks, implies that Forjindam case will take a new twist and the hearing will be expedited. The new collegiality will continue by checking if the requirements that had been made to Public Prosecutor during the last hearing have been met.

The Attorney General will show that this enforcement action has been partially fulfilled.
In accordance with the requirements made during the last hearing, the prosecution presented the report made by the experts appointed by the members of collegiality. A report in which they analyze the evidence produced by the defense. This is a set of four large documents over 1000 pages and has been delivered to each of the parties. Conversely, the Public Prosecutor did not submit the reports produced by the experts of the Supreme State Control (Consupe). A report was done in 2006 during a control mission to the CNIC and which it is claimed was destined to the head of state. Yet, that report had been requested during the hearing on March 13. A hearing at which the Court should give its verdict on the case. The judges explained that this document was important for the manifestation of truth in this trial. However, it is alleged the three experts from state control had confirmed that there was not embezzlement at Chantier Naval Yet, according to the order of dismissal and partial dismissal, the former Dg of CNIC, Zacheusse Forjindam is accused of embezzlement in co-action a total sum of 978 million FCFA. He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the High Court Wouri. A decision he has appealed.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Leadership Crisis in Azire Cooperative Credit Union LTD, Two Board Members Suspended

Anye Judith: President of AZICCUL

Fortibuh Hilary and Madame Atamson Ngu Veronica have been suspended as members of the Board of Directors of the Azire Cooperative Credit Union LTD-AZICCUL, one of the biggest credit unions in Cameroon with a membership of over 29.000. According to the hint, the Azire Cooperative Credit Union where Anye Judith is President is wallowing in the gutter and suffering from self-skirmishes. Confidential sources hinted that the decision to suspend two members of the board of directors has taken observers as well as members aback. With only 4 out of 7 elected  board members now left to take decisions, skeptics are of the opinion that the one time most vibrant credit union may be heading for a crash. It is aired that Fortiboh Hilary one of the board members recently suspended was been victimized for criticizing the stand by AZICULL on the CamCCUL crisis. The conflict of interest according to what we gathered emerged when Fortiboh Hilary the criticized hierarchy for taking credit union internal problems to the market place. Accordingly, based on the fact that he opted that instead of exposing their problems it should be solved within, he was looked upon as a black leg. When contacted, Fortiboh Hilary however lamented that by taking in-house problems to former Northwest Governor and later to the Ministries in Yaounde, the Ministers sent an inspection team to the Credit Unions and they looked into the records of the credit union to identify that in some instances, Credit Unions were carrying some activities like commercial bank and the impact he added will lead to an increase in taxes and a reduction on interest in members' savings. "That is why i wanted the problem solved within the movement" he emphasized. " She did not see this, but Anye Judith erroneously took me for a supporter of Musa Shey Nfor". When quizzed whether these allegations were enough for the suspension, Fortiboh Hilary said ever since he denounced electoral fraude and giving that the mandate of the President ends next year, and he (Fortiboh Hilary) could be a threat to her re-election bid, Anye Judith had to look for ways and means to pin him down so as to frustrate his attempt to contest for the position of President. Besides, Fortiboh Hilary also revealed that he and Madame Atamson Ngu took a loan known as Express Loan which was to be paid in six months. And considering the loan agreement they still had few months to start payment, yet the Board said they were delinquent members and should be suspended. He lamented that the President ganged up with the Supervisory Committee to suspend them on grounds that they were supposed to be paying on monthly bases." This is not the first time i have taken such a loan"  He said the fear is that he had stood firm against electoral fraud and with only four out of seven left in the Board, fears are that it would be difficult for a binding decision to take place. Yet, Fortiboh also revealed that Madame Anye Judith has the intention of taking over as BOD Chairperson of CamCCUL and the only obstacle to that ambition is him. He observed that the too many wranglings have made members to start withdrawing money which to him is very pathetic. However, it should be noted that only an extraordinary General Assembly will have to examine the case of Fortiboh and Madame Atamson to confirm their dismissal from the board or reject the decision suspending them. It should also be noted that one Board Member is also reported to have traveled abroad leaving behind a vacuum. 


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Albatross Saga:Jean Marie Atangana Mebara Could be Issued another Detention Order

 

Jean Marie Atangana Mebara, former Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, who was last Thursday acquitted of three charges of attempt and conspiracy to embezzle, amongst others, 31 million US Dollars is still in detention at the Kondengui Prison whereas found not blameworthy.
Yet, Mfoundi High Court in Yaounde last week acknowledged him not on the wrong side of the law of the three charges. Four days after his exoneration, Jean Marie Atangana Mebara has still not been set free. Late Friday evening, the surroundings of the Mfoundi High Court’s State Counsel’s office were crowded with relatives, friends and reporters waiting for a sign from the lead counsel, Claude Assira who was expecting the document necessary for the Yaounde Central Prison to grant liberty to the former Secretary General. However, the document had not been issued by any of the State Counsels.

Confidential sources however hinted that Atangana Mebara will have to respond two more charges of attempted embezzlement still within the framework of the “Albatros Affair.”
The first of the two concern an attempt to embezzle FCFA 4 billion  disbursed by the National Hydrocarbons Corporation, SNH, for payment of Cameroon Airlines’ bills to the aircraft leasing company, ANSETT. “In this charge, it is claimed that his co-accused is Chief Ephraim Inoni,” On September 18, 2009, the Examining Magistrate, on his own, found one other charge which was an effort to steal the sum of 5 million US Dollars.

So there is no judicial reason to keep Atangana Mebara in detention,” many have argued. Concerning the failure to obtain the order to set free Atangana Mebara on Friday May 4, the lead counsel regretted: “After the college of judges led by Gilbert Schlick issued the acquittal on Thursday and signed the acquittal order on Friday, the Presiding Judge’s registrar took the document to the Legal Department for execution. But the State Counsels disappeared from their offices and we were told late in the night that they will not return for the day,” sources hinted. However, Mebara’s lawyer has promised to use all legal means to obtain his client’s freedom within the ambit of the laws following the acquittal delivered by the Mfoundi High Court.
However, he hinted that it was not impossible for the two charges to be brought back to the fore by the Legal Department. “We have been summoned to the Examining Magistrate’s office on Tuesday May 8, 2012,” he disclosed, believing that something might be cooking for his client. “Another detention order might be issued tomorrow,” he said.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

The Eye Newspaper Clocks 5: Groundbeaking Ceremony full of colour and Fanfare

1st Assistant SDO for Donga Mantung Div

Municipal Treasurer for Nkambe Council, Sammy Mbgatta lighting the anniversary candle

Lord Mayor of Ndu, DK Nfor cutting the cake

Lord Mayor of Misaje, Nkenda Simon Sunde cutting the cake

Member of Parliament for Ako/ Misaje, Hon Ntoi cutting the cake

Nchuwa Monica cutting the cake

HRH Ibrahim Japbu Nfor cutting anniversary cake

1st Assistant SDO Opening Anniversary Cake

Chifu George of The Sun Newspaper presenting a paper on awards

Fai Cassian, DP/Editor of The Eye Newspaper

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Marafa Writes to President Biya

Monsieur le président de la République,

Le lundi 16 avril 2012, j’ai été convoqué par le juge d’instruction du Tribunal de grande instance du Mfoundi et écroué à la prison centrale de Kondengui, sans autre forme de procès.

Vous avez certainement dû apprendre que j’ai demandé la récusation de ce juge d’instruction qui était venu me voir de son propre chef et qui, avec instance, m’a sollicité pour que nous nous « arrangions » afin qu’il instruise le dossier dans un sens qui me serait favorable ! J’ai tout naturellement refusé sa proposition.

Je vous en avais rendu compte en son temps, pensant que le président du Conseil supérieur de la magistrature s’en serait ému.

Est-il besoin de vous le rappeler, monsieur le président de la République, que c’est moi qui vous ai sollicité, par correspondance en date du 7 mai 2008 à vous adressée, pour être entendu par les instances judiciaires compétentes, afin d’apporter mon témoignage et contribuer à la manifestation de la vérité dans cette scabreuse affaire que vous connaissez mieux que quiconque parce que régulièrement informé de ce processus d’acquisition de votre avion, que vous suiviez au jour le jour.

Vous savez bien que mon incarcération n’a rien à voir avec cette affaire pour laquelle je ne suis coupable d’aucun délit et surtout pas de celui que vous avez instruit que l’on m’impute. J’espère que les débats à venir permettront à nos compatriotes de savoir quel est le rôle joué par tous les intervenants, et cela à tous les niveaux. Vous savez également ce que je pense de certaines de ces arrestations spectaculaires. Wikileaks s’en est d’ailleurs fait largement l’écho.





Monsieur le président de la République,

Le 06 novembre 1982, j’ai couru derrière votre cortège du carrefour Warda jusqu’au rond-point de l’école de Bastos. J’étais alors un jeune haut cadre de la Snh ; et à ce moment-là, j’étais fier de mon pays. Par la suite j’ai été séduit par votre discours et je me suis engagé corps et âme derrière vous, convaincu de participer à l’édification d’une société de paix et de justice. J’ai essayé de toutes mes forces de travailler dans ce sens. Et vous le savez. Nos compatriotes également l’apprendront.

Vous m’avez donné l’opportunité de servir notre pays à un très haut niveau. Je l’ai fait avec enthousiasme, engagement et je l’espère modestement, avec une certaine compétence. Comme je vous l’ai dit dans le message de vœux de nouvel an que je vous ai adressé le 30 décembre dernier, je continuerai à servir à l’endroit où vous m’assignerez pour contribuer à faire de notre pays un pays de paix et de Justice. Et de là où je suis, je puis vous affirmer que mon enthousiasme et mon engagement pour ces nobles causes restent intacts.

J’ai été votre proche collaborateur pendant dix-sept (17) années sans discontinuer. D’abord comme conseiller spécial, ensuite comme secrétaire général de la présidence de la République et enfin comme ministre de l’Administration territoriale et de la décentralisation pendant près d’une décennie.

Je vous ai servi avec loyauté, sincérité et sans préjugé. Comme vous le savez bien, pendant toutes ces années, j’ai toujours refusé d’être un courtisan. (A titre d’exemple, j’ai constamment refusé de m’associer aux folklore des différentes éditions de « l’Appel du peuple »). J’ai toujours préféré garder une liberté qui me permettait de vous donner, en toute indépendance d’esprit, des avis vous permettant de gérer les affaires de l’Etat dans le plus grand intérêt de notre pays.

Ce n’était pas une position facile à assumer pour moi, dans un environnement et un contexte qui sont les nôtres, car je n’étais pas un de vos proches de longue date, ni originaire de votre aire culturelle. J’ai cependant eu l’impression que cette position, même si elle vous agaçait quelquefois, était malgré tout appréciée de vous, ce qui justifierait l’exceptionnelle durée et je dirais même l’intensité de notre collaboration.

Cette indépendance d’esprit m’avait permis de vous dire, après l’élection présidentielle de 2004, que ce septennat devrait être le dernier pour vous et que nous devrions tous nous mobiliser pour le succès des « grandes ambitions » afin que votre sortie de la scène politique se fasse avec fanfare, que vous jouissiez d’un repos bien mérité, à l’intérieur de notre pays.

Etait-ce un crime de lèse-majesté ? C’est possible ! Mais j’exprimais sincèrement ce que je pensais à l’époque être dans votre intérêt et dans celui de notre pays. Ma conviction à l’époque était qu’un mandat supplémentaire serait le mandat de trop. Comme nous allons le voir, le harcèlement et la vindicte à mon égard datent de ce temps-là ; aujourd’hui, je paye peut-être pour cette lucide franchise.

Cette liberté m’a également permis de vous exprimer une opinion sincère, comme l’illustrent les trois exemples suivants, concernant le gouvernement de la République:

a) Après la formation du gouvernement consécutif à l’élection présidentielle de 2004, vous m’avez accordé une audience au cours de laquelle vous m’avez demandé ce que les gens pensent du gouvernement.

Je vous ai répondu qu’ils pensent qu’avec un effectif d’environ soixante-cinq (65) ministres et assimilés, le gouvernement est pléthorique et manquerait d’efficacité.

Entre agacement et irritation, vous m’avez tenu ces propos : «…Monsieur le ministre d’Etat, vous êtes combien de ministres dans ce gouvernement ? Peut-être dix (10) ou quinze (15) tout au plus. Le reste, ce sont des fonctionnaires à qui j’ai donné le titre».

Je vous ai répondu: « … C’est peut-être vrai, monsieur le président de la République. Mais le problème, c’est que ces fonctionnaires eux, se prennent pour des ministres».

Le dialogue à ce sujet s’est arrêté là.


b) De même, à la veille d’un remaniement, vous m’avez fait l’honneur, au cours d’une audience, de m’interroger sur un compatriote. Je vous ai répondu que ce monsieur ne méritait pas de siéger au gouvernement de la République. Vous avez développé des arguments qui m’ont convaincu que votre décision était déjà prise. Je vous ai alors dit : « …Monsieur le président de la République, au cas où vous le nommeriez au gouvernement, ne lui confiez surtout pas un département ministériel ». Nous connaissons la suite.

c) Enfin, après la formation du gouvernement au sein duquel monsieur Issa Tchiroma est devenu ministre (afin de contrecarrer mes ambitions, aux dires de certains), vous m’avez accordé une audience au cours de laquelle vous m’avez demandé ce que les gens pensent du nouveau gouvernement. Je vous ai répondu san détour que monsieur Issa Tchiroma ne mérite pas de siéger au gouvernement de la République. Vous et moi et d’autres (y compris lui-même) savons à quoi je fais référence. Je vous ai dit en outre que je ne collaborerai jamais avec lui.

Jusqu’à présent, les gens pensent que notre « inimitié » est d’ordre politique car nous sommes adversaires dans la même circonscription. Cela n’a rien à voir et l’avenir le prouvera.


Monsieur le président de la République,

Lorsque la vindicte à mon égard a commencé, j’ai traité avec indifférence les ragots faisant état de ma déloyauté à votre égard et je me suis abstenu de vous en importuner. Mais lorsque votre entourage le plus proche est rentré dans la danse, j’ai cru devoir à chaque fois, m’en ouvrir à vous.

Ainsi, lorsqu’en novembre 2007, il a été demandé au préfet du département du Mfoundi de « prolonger la garde-à-vue administrative de quinze (15) jours renouvelables » concernant vingt (20) personnes dont dix-huit (18) sont des militaires de divers grades, j’ai instruit le gouverneur de la province du Centre et le préfet du département du Mfoundi de ne pas s’éxécuter et de se conformer strictement aux dispositions de la loi. Je vous en ai rendu compte par note en date du 21 novembre 2007. Ces personnes auraient été libérées quelques mois plus tard sur vos instructions.

Quelques jours après le refus de l’administration territoriale de cautionner cette mascarade, j’apprendrai qu’il vous a été rapporté que les personnes concernées seraient mes complices dans une tentative de déstabilisation des institutions de la République.

Devant cette accusation extrêmement grave et devant la réccurrence des rapports systématiquement négatifs qui vous parvenaient à mon sujet de la part de certaines officines et sur lesquels vous ne me disiez rien, j’ai dû prêter une oreille attentive à l’une des nombreuses offres d’emploi qui m’étaient faites régulièrement au niveau international. J’espérais que mon départ permettrait de préserver la qualité des relations que j’ai eu l’honneur d’entretenir avec vous. Je vous en ai fait part ainsi que de mon désir de quitter le gouvernement au cours d’une audience en date du 30 novembre 2007. Vous m’avez expliqué que vous aviez encore besoin de moi et qu’en ce qui vous concernait, vous me faisiez encore entièrement confiance.

Je me dois cependant de rappeler à votre attention, quelques faits suivants, entre autres:

a) Après les émeutes de février 2008, les rapports négatifs à mon encontre se sont intensifiés. Pour mes détracteurs, mon refus constant d’interdire ou de saisir les journaux et mon approche des problèmes consistant à éviter une réponse exagérément et inutilement violente ainsi qu’une répression systématique, prouvaient à suffisance mon manque de loyauté à votre égard.

A nouveau, je vous ai saisi par note en date du 5 mars 2008 pour vous rappeler que le département ministériel à la tête duquel j’étais, est trop délicat pour avoir à sa tête quelqu’un qui ne jouirait pas de votre confiance.

J’ai également saisi l’occasion de cette note pour porter à votre attention les relations incestueuses qui tendaient à se développer entre l’Etat et le parti Rdpc, au vu d’une correspondance me concernant adressée par le ministre de la Justice au secrétaire général de ce parti.

b) Dans un rapport cousu de fil blanc, en date du 24 juillet 2008, le député Mvondo Assam (Bonivan), vice-président de la Commission de défense et de sécurité à l’Assemblée nationale et par ailleurs votre neveu, faisant référence à « différentes notes antérieures », vous souligne « l’ambition d’un grand destin national » qui m’anime ainsi que ma « stratégie de conquête du pouvoir ».

Je vous ai saisi par note en date du 17 septembre 2008 afin de «solliciter respectueusement l’ouverture d’une enquête sur ces graves accusations».

Au cours d’une audience ultérieure, j’ai évoqué la nécessité de diligenter cette enquête, vous m’avez dit que votre neveu ne sait pas ce qu’il fait; vous m’avez chaleureusement renouvelé votre confiance et vous m’avez demandé de ne pas tenir compte de cet incident.

Je vous ai remercié tout en vous disant que si le député Mvondo Assam ne sait pas ce qu’il fait, il ne devrait pas occuper un poste aussi sensible à l’Assemblée nationale.

c) En février 2010, j’ai fait l’objet d’une interdiction de sortie du territoire national. Cette mesure illégale a été grossièrement rendue publique alors que je présidais à Bertoua la commission mixte de sécurité entre le Cameroun et la République centrafricaine, à la tête d’une délégation camerounaise de cinq (5) membres du gouvernement face à sept (7) membres du gouvernement centrafricain. J’ai stoïquement fait face à mes responsabilités.

A mon retour à Yaoundé, j’ai sollicité une audience au cours de laquelle je vous vous ai à nouveau présenté ma démission. A cette occasion, je vous ai renouvelé l’impérieuse nécessité de nommer à la tête du ministère de l’Administration territoriale et de la décentralisation une personne qui non seulement jouirait de votre confiance, mais aussi que l’on laisserait travailler en toute sérénité. A nouveau vous avez refusé ma démission et vous m’avez renouvelé votre confiance.

d) Avant la convocation du corps électoral pour l’élection présidentielle du 9 octobre dernier, vous m’avez fait recevoir par le Directeur du cabinet civil. Une première ! Celui-ci m’a dit qu’il me recevait en votre nom et que vous vouliez savoir si j’allais me présenter contre vous à cette élection. J’ai été choqué car ce faisant, vous donniez du crédit à la rumeur qui vous avait été maintes fois rapportée selon laquelle j’aurais créé un parti politique clandestin.

J’ai dit au directeur du cabinet civil de vous dire que j’étais blessé aussi bien par le contenu du message que par la manière dont il a été délivré. Je lui ai dit par ailleurs de vous rassurer, par souci de responsabilité et pour éviter toute crise inopportune, que je ferai tout mon devoir pendant la période délicate avant, pendant et après les élections, afin que la paix soit préservée dans notre pays. Mais qu’après cette élection, compte tenu de l’effritement continu de la confiance depuis bientôt (07) ans et finalement de la perte manifeste de celle-ci, je n’entendais plus continuer ma collaboration avec vous au niveau du gouvernement.

J’ai fait part à mes proches de cette blessure ainsi que de la décision de ne pas figurer au gouvernement après l’élection présidentielle.

Après la clôture du dépôt de candidatures et ayant constaté que la mienne n’y figurait pas, le directeur du cabinet civil m’a à nouveau reçu pour me dire de ne pas surinterpréter votre message qui est allé au-delà de votre pensée et que vous me recevriez bientôt pour lever toute équivoque. Je lui ai répondu que je n’étais pas demandeur d’une audience et que ma décision de ne plus faire partie du gouvernement après l’élection présidentielle était non négociable. J’avais alors mesuré toute la portée de ces paroles de Fénelon à Louis XIV : «Vous êtes né, Sir, avec un cœur droit et équitable, mais ceux qui vous ont élevé ne vous ont donné pour science de gouverner, que la méfiance».

e) Après mon départ du gouvernement, une certaine presse en furie et aux ordres, s’est mise à préparer l’opinion (comme il est désormais de coutume) pour mon incarcération à venir, faisant fi au passage des intérêts de notre pays.

C’est ainsi que le monde entier apprendra que je suis à la tête d’une armée de 6.000 rebelles ! A ce jour, je n’ai pas été interrogé sur cette volonté affichée de déstabilisation qui aurait été éventrée. A ma connaissance, ceux qui ont publié cette grossièreté ne l’ont pas été non plus. On se serait limité à dire que la grossièreté se le dispute à la bêtise si ce n’est que c’est notre pays qui souffre de cette image pré-insurrectionnelle.

De même, cette obsession à me lier à la France alors que c’est du Cameroun qu’il s’agit ! Des notes de renseignements vous parviennent selon lesquelles l’ambassadeur de France à Yaoundé viendrait souvent à mon domicile en cachette, dans une voiture banalisée, afin que nous élaborions des plans de déstabilisation de notre pays.

Aussi, des informations sont distillées dans le public sur mes prétendues relations avec un grand industriel français qui viendrait souvent clandestinement à Garoua me rencontrer pour le même objet. Notre pays serait-il devenu une passoire pour que l’on y pénètre sans visa ou y faire atterrir des aéronefs sans une autorisation préalable de survol du territoire ?


Monsieur le président de la République,

Vous me connaissez très bien. Je ne cache ni mes opinions ni mes agissements.

Vous comprenez donc qu’ayant recouvré ma liberté de parole car n’étant plus tenu par une quelconque obligation de solidarité ou de réserve, je puisse exposer, échanger et partager avec tous nos compatriotes mes idées et mes réflexions que je vous réservais en toute exclusivité ou que je ne développais qu’au cours des réunions à huis clos. Ces idées et ces réflexions portent particulièrement sur la paix et la justice.

Et avant de terminer, permettez-moi de vous assurer, que du fond de mon cachot, je n’ai ni haine, ni regrets, et que je ne nourris ni mélancolie, ni amertume. Surtout, je n’ai aucune pulsion suicidaire. S’il m’arrivait quelque chose par inadvertance, ce ne serait ni de mon fait, ni du fait des repas que je me fais livrer par ma famille. Bien que n’ayant pas particulièrement peur de la mort, j’aimerais que si cette fâcheuse éventualité survenait, les responsabilités soient bien établies.

Marafa Hamidou Yaya

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Albatross Saga, Jean Marie Atangana Mebara, three others Partially Freed

Chief Inoni Ephraim has lost a member of the Kondengui government. The decision by the Mfoundi High Court has freed former Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, Jean Marie Atangana Mebara and three others arrested for alleged involvement in the Albatross scandal.

Jean Marie Atangana Mebara, was acquitted by the Mfoundi High Court yesterday May 3, 2012 of three charges of attempts of embezzlement of State funds meant for the purchase of a presidential aircraft. His co-accused Otele Essomba Hubert Patrick was also acquitted of two charges of embezzlement while former Cameroonian Ambassador to the United States of America, Jerome Mendouga received a 10-year jail term after being declared guilty of embezzlement of FCFA 121 million still within the framework of the purchase of the presidential jet. In a massively attended court judgement hearing that held yesterday, Thursday May 2, 2012 at the Mfoundi High Court in Yaounde, the Presiding Judge, Gilbert Schlick, opened the session by listing the charges against the accused officials. The first holding charge under review was against Messrs Jean Marie Atangana Mebara, Kevin Joseph Walls and Otele Essomba Hubert Patrick Marie for complicity and attempt to embezzle 31 million US Dollars (about FCFA 15 billion) meant for the purchase of a presidential jet and held by the American aircraft leasing firm, GIA International Incorporation. Kevin Joseph Walls and Otele Essomba were respectively Director General and Deputy Director General of Asset Management Portfolio, APM that was commissioned in 2003 by the Jean Marie Atangana Mebara, then Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, to recover over FCFA 27 billion held by GIA International Inc. The latter had been given the sum of 29 million US Dollars in August 2003 to purchase a new presidential jet from the Boeing Company based in the United States of America. GIA International Inc paid only two million US Dollars to Boeing and kept the rest. Minister Atangana Mebara was accused of having ordered APM on May 14, 2003 to recover the money from GIA and keep it in GIA’s bank account instead of paying back to the national treasury. The second charge against Atangana Mebara, Otele Essomba and Kevin Joseph Walls was for the embezzlement of the sum of FCFA 1,5 billion that was paid into APM’s bank account to settle Cameroon Airlines’ payment arrears to the aircraft leasing company ANSETT International. The third charge was against former Cameroonian Ambassador to the United States of America, Jerome Mendouga in complicity with Atangana Mebara for the embezzlement of FCFA 121 million which was the balance of the sum of FCFA 720 million disbursed to the Ambassador to negotiate with the Boeing Company for the leasing of an aircraft for the President. Besides, the 10-year jail term slammed on Ambassador Mendouga, he is also expected to pay FCFA 121 million to the State of Cameroon. The court ruling that was handed down at about 8.30 pm yesterday ended proceedings that started in August 2008 after Atangana Mebara was arrested and remanded in custody. It was widely commented yesterday that the acquittal could be short-lived for two other charges of complicity in the embezzlement of FCFA 4 billion and five million US Dollars, respectively, still remain pending in the Examining Magistrate’s office.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

That Controversial Farewell Speech of Mayor of Nkambe about Hon. SN Tamfu

FARE WELL TO A GREAT MAN

THE HON.S.N TAMFU BY MAYOR MANGOH JONES TANKO OF NKAMBE ON THE OCCASION OF  THE  FUNERAL CELEBRATION.

-Distinguished guests and Political Partners.

-The Members of Hon S.N.Tamfu’s Family= Both Brothers and Sisters, Wives and Children.

-The Administration and Population of Nkambe.

I stand here as the Mayor of Nkambe Council to bid farewell to one of the great leaders of Mbum land and political leaders of Donga-Mantung.

   I came to know Pa Tamfu when he was a sales Clerk here in Nkambe in 1958 and I was a standard 1boy in CBM School Binka. From that time till now is 54 years. History books say that such a period of knowledge gives one an advantage of talking the truth.

   In that 1958 an important death took place, Mr John Takinang Ndze died from poison in Bamenda. This was the political leader of the wimbum people who had represented us in the Eastern House of Assembly in Enugu and in Buea. The Tang people felt that he was their son and they must replace him with another. The lot felt on Hon.S.N.Tamfu who had graduated from Bali College and was serving in Nkambe.

  At the young age of 24 years old, the Hon S.N. Tamfu stepped into the Moses shoes to lead us into our political life. He was elected into the Southern Cameroon House of Assembly in1959 to replace the Hon. Peter Ngi

Nsakwa  on the plat form of the K.N.C party. In 1961during the plebiscite in Southern Cameroon, the Hon.Samuel Ngeh Tamfu stood firm against reunification against la Republique  du Cameroon. He opted to remain with Nigeria. He won the election in Nkambe. Therefore in the West Cameroon  House of Assembly, he sat on the opposition bench.

   When political parties were merged in 1966,the KNDP and CPNC formed a government in the West Cameroon House. At that time, the Hon.S.N.Tamfu became a member of Government and a Minister. He was the Secretary of for Public Works which enabled Nkambe Town to have its first Tarr in 1968 by him.

            In 1972, frustration stepped in to Pa’s political career. Ahmadou Ahidjo organised the so called referendum and organised one state structure in Yaoundé .The west Cameroon House of assembly was dissolved and the west Cameroon government was also desolved. The Hon.S.N. Tamfu left Buea and came to Nkambe without a future.

  In 1988, the one party system organized plural elections of Green and Khaki. Pa. Tamfu resurfaced and was elected into parliament. This time, Pa Tamfu was bent to support the regime in place.

   In 1990 the S.D.F forced the government to accept multi-partism. It was a period to make a hard decision on where to belong.

This same mayor who had been serving as a private Secretary to the Hon.Tamfu had to ask him to make a wise choice.

 In a meeting with Hon.Tamfu in Yaoundé in June 1990, this Mayor in the presence of Dr Ngahnkfumbe S.N. and Alvitus Tacha all G.C.E marker . The hon.Tamfu told me that he had suffered in the opposition for so long. That this time if multi-partism is authorized, he will remain on the government party to also eat from the National Cake. This was a former departure between Pa and his Private Secretary told Pa that he has always won election in Nkambe when he is in the opposition. That the government of Cameroon has done nothing to the Nkambe people so they will never vote for the government party until something is done.

    Pa Tamfu has been the most powerful politician from Donga Mantung. He hates anyone who opposes him or does not follow his instructions. This has manifested itself in various forms. Every D.O who did not follow his dictates was sent away. Civil servants especially teachers who showed any signs of opposition to him were sent away from Nkambe.

         The Mayor was first transferred to kouseri in 1992 and in 1993 transferred to Lycie de Mora. He personally wrote and dictated that my reclassification in my civil service career should never been effected. In 1994 i was sanctioned for leading the civil servant strike and I went for (01) One year (4) Four Months without a salary. Till today my reclassification has never been done and all begging has been in vain.

   But in all, Pa has always championed the politics of this Division. He came up with the issue of Far Northwest Province with the capital in Nkambe. On questioning him on the benefits of that to the Nkambe people, Pa said when government creates such a capital, development comes in form of roads to link that capital, electricity, water and many other things. This explanation caused us to join Pa in the fight for the Far North West Province.

    Pa was very close to the head of state. He was at the centre of CPDM politics and yet did not get for us the Regional status which he fought with all his life. Now Pa is no more. Who will now step into Moses shoe?

  I want to end here by saying that when a leader is refused the amenities he wants for his people, the people will surely reject such a group. Anyone who wants to step into this shoe must bring our Far Northwest Region or else we cannot allow you to talk to us.

    Pa you have followed your brothers with whom you started this struggle to bring us into light. We will soon follow you since that is the road God has made for us all. The truth is that we are leaving our people unsatisfied.

                 Till we come to meet you=(ADIEU)

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

After SDF, Biya Forms Own Shadow Cabinet in Kondengui Prison

The recent arrest and detention of Chief Ephraim Inoni, former Prime Minister and Marafa Hamidou Yaya, former Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic (formerly Minister of State for Territorial Administration and Decentralization) has completed the formation of a CPDM Shadow Cabinet in Kondengui and New Bell Prisons. Already five former Secretary Generals and Deputy Secretaries at the Presidency of the Republic have been arrested since 1997. What is now evident is that Operation Sparrow Hawk and Albatross has transformed President Biya’s closest collaborators to prisoners. It is hard to imagine that Titus Edzoa, Siyam Siewe, Atangana Mebara, Ephraim Inoni and Marafa Hamidou Yaya have formerly Secretary Generals and or Deputy Secretary Generals at the Presidency of the Republic have been arrested and locked up in Prison. This act, critics say is discrediting the CPDM as well the Biya regime publicly. That trustworthiness has become an endangered specie in some member of government is a fact when we judge from the personalities already arrested for alleged embezzlement. The number of Ministers, Director Generals, Board chairpersons, head of services etc is alarming.

Another school of thought holds that President Biya has arrested almost all those who had enjoyed his full confidence while opposition leaders say these personalities are those who supported the regime wholeheartedly to rig elections in Cameroon.
The case of former Prime Minister Inoni Ephraim and Marafa Hamidou Yaya arrested last April 16, 2012 under the eye of television cameras indicate that the regime is hooked.  Whether it a mafia that has penetrated the system or it is the determination of President Biya to set examples, the message as interpreted shows that corruption has taken firm root in the heart of the Biya regime. It is however pathetic that these high personalities are accused of having embezzled public funds, thwarted projects funds, initiated fake project or transformed the state treasury private entities. Those already arrested can make up a complete government with only two portfolio lacking, that is the position of the Speaker of the National Assembly and Head of State. Majority of Cameroonians still believe these arrests can only make sense if money embezzled is paid back into the state treasury. Yet it is difficult to think that for many years, all those "venerable" hijackers acted without taking inspiration from their chief many have argued. 

 Yet these senior civil servants like the others already in detention in the notorious Kondengui Central Prison in Yaounde and New Bell in Douala like Titus Ezoa, Polycarp Abah Abah, Mouchipou Seidou, Urbain Olanguena Owono, Catherine Abena, Atangana Mebara, Zacheus Forjindam, Seiyam Siwe, Eduoard Ekotto, Odong Ndong, Yves Michel Fotso, Jerome Mendouga, Mebara etc are alleged to have been the foremost promoters of corruption and white collar thievery. How can a president who has refused to apply article 66 of the constitution which requires all top civil servants and elected officials to declare their personal fortunes before entering office so as to limit or abate corruption be the one now to want to appear to be the fight against corruption, leaders of the opposition continue to argue? But Fru Ndi has a contrary view. To Fru Ndi it is not today that President Biya is aware that Inoni Ephraim was involved in the Albatross scandal or that Marafa had embezzled. “Biya wants to divert public opinion on the Electoral Code” Fru Ndi said. “In order to stir public attention away from the controversy surrounding the Electoral Code and in an attempt to divert the people towards something else these high-profile personalities have hence been taken into custody to give a semblance of an impression that Mr. Biya is serious about stemming out corruption and take Cameroon to a better managed society of so-called Realization” some activists say.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

It is not today that Cameroonians know Marafa had embezzled or that Inoni was Involved in Albatross-Fru Ndi

 The National Chairman of the SDF Ni John Fru Ndi has declared that he is hoping that former Minister of State, Marafa Hamidou Yaya will come out from prison to answer his court case. Fru Ndi who was talking to journalists today in Bamenda, said that after the February 2008 Uprising in Cameroon, Marafa Hamidou Yaya went on air to declare that he (Fru Ndi) was seen carryout bandits (harden criminal) in his car." Who is locked up now, the person carrying harden criminals?"
 Fru Ndi used the occasion to mock at Marafa. Fru Ndi wondered which apprentice sorcerer provided Biya with prove of embezzlement because when the SDF asked the Biya regime to arrest all these white collar gangsters he (Biya) asked for proves. He however lamented the fate of Ephraim Inoni and Mafara because they were caught in Biya trap which always make show that you are dumped at the end. " He has just done what is of his own style" and added that "Marafa paid Biya in compound interest". Fru Ndi also called on Cameroonians not to be distracted by President Biya's style. He said Biya has lived with the thieves and it doesn't make sense when he makes a mockery of Cameroonians because it is not today that Cameroonians are aware that Marafa has embezzled or that Ephraim Inoni was involved in the Albatross Scandal.  Fru Ndi said the last time he met Marafa (he) said he has control over Garoua and i told him " I have been in Garoua and i know, however, i know that while at MINATD, Marafa use to have results of elections before votes are casted.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Why Former PM Inoni Ephraim & Ex-MINATD Boss, Marafa Hamidou Yaya were Arrested

Former Prime Minister Chief Ephraim Inoni have passed their fight nights in Prison. The spectacular arrest that took place a day ago public opinion holds Cameroonians simply do not care. Even though tension and tempers flared in Bakingili and Garoua, the homes of the two personalities arrested, there is relative calm as at this morning a source hinted.it should be noted that local media this morning relate their arrest to the acquisition of the Presidential Plan that never was. For newspapers and other media houses on the reported on the scandal over the controversy trying to justify who did what and where for the buying of the President's airplane .
It happened that the day the plane Albatross made it first trial, it aircraft developed mechanical problems. The worst and the ugly side is that President Biya, wife and children were inside.  It was later revealed that the plane was an old abandoned aircraft in the bush somewhere in America that was just flashed with paint to pocket billions of FCFA taxpayers money. At the time, Marafa Hamidou Yaya was secretary-general at the presidency and Ephraim Inoni was his deputy. Inoni later went on to be prime minister from 2004 to 2009. The main actors in the transaction Jean Atangana Mebara Former Minister, Yves Michel Fotso GM of Camair by then and former Cameroon Ambassador Jerome Medougah to the United States of America were already arrested and are still in Prison.
Chief Ephraim Inoni and Marafa were arrested yesterday after they were called up to appear in Court to prove their non involvement. Arrested yesterday at about 12 noon, the two statesmen were accompanied by forces of law and order to meet their alleged partners in the scandal at the Kondengui Prison. A school of thought holds that the arrests were made to divert the public from the ongoing crucial national debate on the new electoral code which many say is a mockery. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Albatross Saga, Marafa Hamidou Yaya, Chief Ephraim Inoni Arrested

Chief Thomas Ephraim Inoni, former Prime Minister and Marafa Hamidou Yaya, Ex-Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization are reported to have been picked by police today April 16, 2012 at about 12 pm. Reliable sources hinted that the two personalities were picked up in connection with the famous Albatross Scandal. It has been confirmed that the two personalities are already at the Kondegui Prison. According to what we gathered, Chief Thomas Ephriam Inoni and Marafa Hamidou Yaya were taken from Court directly to prison. It should be noted that some months ago, Chief Inoni's passport was siezed while Marafa Hamidou Yaya has been under police survielliance for over two months now. Marafa it is alleged was forced to move from Garoua to Yaounde which to analysts was already an indication that he was in the dragnet of the Albatross. There is excitment in Yaounde our source hinted.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa