Former Minister convicted for defamation

Charles Etoundi and his accuser were present on Monday before the judges of the Court of Appeal in Yaoundé to challenge the judgment of the CFI.

According to the two cases, brought forward by a single complainant against the accused, Former Minister of State, Minister of National Education, Charles Borromée Etoundi, indexed on the one hand, was charged with "insult and defamation" and on the other hand, for 'Disturbance and violation of domicile', by Ferdinand Mveng Ngbwa.

The two cases inscribed at the Court of appeal of Mfoundi were to start with the hearings of witnesses. The court however found out that while the prosecution presented his witnesses, those of the defence had not been cited.

Meanwhile, at the time when the president of the collegiality of judges was preparing to return the hearing, the prosecution Council insisted that the identities of the witnesses expected should at least be made known.

Charles Etoundi revealed subsequently that he relied on a certain Albert Mbida and a certain Mrs. Biyong who will testify for both cases. As a result, the two hearings have successively been referred to 11 August next for the attendance of witnesses for the defence.

We learn however that these two old cases had previously been tried before the Court of first instance (CFI) in Yaoundé and according to information gleaned at the registry; the facts which raised these lawsuits date back to 2003.

According to Mr. Élie Magloire Nayak, Council of the charge, the former Minister of State, also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Centre for publishing and production for education and research (Ceper), "sent a correspondence administrative authority, in which he spoke of Ferdinand Mveng Ngbwa with offensive and defamatory terms ". This as a result gave rise to the first charge.

Similarly, the source continued, 'Mr. Etoundi did not appreciate the fact that Ceper conveyed by a deed to Ferdinand Mveng Ngbwa, broke into the Center companied by people who destroyed various facilities'. And this on the other hand hatched the second charge.

Before the CFI, the former Minister was found guilty in both cases. The charge of insult and defamation has garnered among others a charge of 20 million CFA for damages.

Regarding the disturbance and violation of domicile, Charles Etoundi took four months ' imprisonment in addition to damages payable to the complainant. But all parties felt aggrieved by this judgement and appealed and subsequently, the next hearing has been schedules for August 11.