The Supreme Court rejects Lydienne Eyoum's appeal

The Supreme Court of Cameroon has rejected the appeal made by the French lawyers of Lydienne Yen Eyoum in Cameroon on Thursday May 28, 2015.

The Supreme Court of Cameroon stated that “the cassation of the French lawyers from Cameroon is admissible but not justified and the public prosecutor requested the conviction of Lydienne Yen Eyoum wife of Loyse”.

Lawyers of Lydienne Yen Eyoum, attacked the decision made by the TCS to sentence the Franco-Cameroonian to 25 years in prison for the ‘misuse of public money’ estimated to 1,077,985,964 FCFA on September 26, 2014 at the Supreme Court.

The condemnation of the Franco-Cameroonian’s lawyers had sparked an outcry in France and was criticized by Paris. The spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry, Romain Nadal had assessed that it was a “very heavy sentence" adding that “France continued to follow with great attention, the judicial process and its possible developments, including an appeal”.

"We want to make sure the rights of our fellow citizen are fully guaranteed. We are in contact with the Cameroonian authorities and we exercise consular protection with regard to our compatriot”, Romain Nadal had stated.

In response to all the condemnations from Paris, Yaoundé reacted through the Minister of Communication and spokesman of the government, Issa Tchiroma Bakary that "regardless of the influence of the country the only principle we can claim is one that prevails as the judicial responsibility in the commission of the offense”.

“An offense committed in one’s country is, as a principle, judged by the courts and according to the laws of that country. This is regardless of the nationality of the accused, except in cases requiring extradition and in conditions defined by the law of the country where the offense was committed, or by agreements between states”, argued the Mincom.

There was no animosity from the side of the government. On May 6 2015, Lydienne Yen Eyoum was again ordered to repay 60 million 365,880 to Serge Epouhé.