On Tuesday January 31st, 2023 the Special Criminal Court (TCS) in Cameroon charged Minister of Defence guilty of extorting 23.9 billion FCFA for a military equipment contract.
The former Minister of Defense, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o has been sentenced to 30 years in prison while his wife, Bernadette Mebe Ngo’o received a ten year jail sentence. This decision by the Cameroonian court trying former government officials was on basis of embezzling state funds.
According to reports, properties of Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o that comprise of 53 buildings, 11 bank accounts, 39 vehicles, and heavy machinery will be confiscated by the government.
Other accomplices in the case were sentenced as follows:
Colonel Ghislain Mboutou Elle: 25 years in prison.
Maxime Mbangue: 25 years imprisonment.
Victor Menye: 09 years in jail.
Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o was arrested and detained for misappropriating public funds, bribery and aggravated money laundering.
Press censorship in court.
Journalists were refused access to cover the court session of Edgard. Though no reason was given for the refusal, it is alleged that once the ‘VIP prisoner’ appeared in court with a glass of champagne which caused diverse reactions.
He was arrested and placed on a pre-trial detention at the Maximum Security Prison in Kondengui on March 8, 2019. The minister denied all allegations levied on him.
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