Figuil Embezzlement Trial: Haman Amos pleads not guilty

The former treasurer of Figuil Council is accused of embezzling FCFA 59 million.

The trial of Haman Amos, the former treasurer of Figuil Council in the North Region, came up for second mentioning at the Yaounde Special Criminal Court, SCC, on Tuesday, January 20, 2015; during which the accused pleaded not guilty for embezzling just over FCFA 59 million.

Led in the prosecution were the Ministry of Finance and Figuil Council. According to the charge sheet, the amount was embezzled between 2010 and 2014 before a detention order was issued against Haman on April 22, 2014.

The hearing, which was presided by Mr Justice Nyoh Matthias, with Taghim Jean Claude as Advocate General, was essentially meant to identify the accused and notify him of the charge. A Treasury Controller, 59-year-old Haman Amos is father of 14 children. He is presently being detained at the Kondengui, Yaounde Maximum Security Prison.

Meanwhile, the matter was adjourned to February 26, 2015, for the prosecution and civil claimants to present their list of witnesses. The accused indicated that he had none.

He is being defended by Barrister Nkoa Elie Majoire, while the Ministry of Finance has as counsel, Barrister Bodiong Thomas of Tapa, Bodiong and Partners Law Firm.

It would be recalled that the case first came up for mentioning on December 30, 2014, but was quickly adjourned because new appointments and transfers had been made at SCC.