Alice Nkom to defend Mebara in the Albatros case

The letter notifying the choice and acceptance of Alice Nkom was sent to the judges of the Special Criminal Court on Monday in Yaounde.

Curiosity led many to the Special Criminal Court (SCC) in Yaoundé on Monday to see who will now defend the former Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic (SGPR) who is under prosecution for misappropriation of public funds, as part of the failed acquisition of an aircraft to be used for travelling by the Head of State.

His lawyers withdrew at the last hearing and Jean Marie Atangana Mebara was facing the judges and the prosecution alone. The magistrate and president of collegiality gave him time to find a counsel which at yesterday's hearing, he forwarded a letter of incorporation for Alice Nkom, a lawyer of the Cameroon Bar.

The letter, according to judicial sources, actually announces the lawyers constituting the defense of the accused, Atangana Mebara, and also seeking an adjournment. The request was however granted by members of collegiality.

The hearing could have proceeded in the absence of the counsel for the accused, who was suspended. It will be recalled that on July 20 before the withdrawal of the counsel for Jean Marie Atangana Mebara, the prosecution's submissions on the guilt of the former SGPR was expected.

Jerome Mendouga, former Ambassador of Cameroon to the United States, the second accused in this case died therefore the case continues with Mebara.

As stated by a source close to the case, the new lawyer shall confirm her incorporation in person at the SCC at the next hearing. "Given the defense taken by the accused opting to say nothing, the board will only intervene at the stage of pleadings and observations," she says.