The Mfoundi High Court has convicted former Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization,
Marafa Hamidou Yaya, former Director General of Cameroon Airlines, Yves Michel Fotso and Assene Nkou to each serve 25 years in prison. It should be recalled that hearing began at 2pm yesterday, September 20, 2012 and the verdict handed down at 7 am today morning.
Sources from the Mfoundi High Court hinted that Marafa and Yves were hurriedly transferred
to SED after the verdict was passed. More so, Jean-Marie Chapuis, former General
Manager of the Commercial Bank Cameroon (CBC), and his colleague Genevieve Sandjon
were each sentenced to 15 years each while Julienne Kounda, ex. Assistant Director
General of the CBC was given 10 years imprisonment as well.
In addition to the prison sentences, those convicted are collectively ordered to
pay damages and interest to the State of Cameroon to the tune of 21 billion FCFA
375 million, as they bear the costs of the trial of more than 1 billion FCFA.
However, those convicted have 48 hours to appeal. Before leaving the Court
Marafa is quoted to have said that 'I am disappointed not defeated". Public opinion holds that it is only in Cameroon that
judgments a passed at 7 am. Besides, there is tension and uncertainty in some
quarters as troops were deployed at the Mfoundi Court to chase away the public. Intimidation
is reported to have been at it peak and human right activists are talking of
violation of rights.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa
1 comment:
Where else but in Cameroon can such happenings occur? Some afraid of their own scalp will soon start chanting motions of support to....
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