Two arrested over SODECOTON embezzlement case

The trial was adjourned to May 30, 2014. The Special Criminal Court (SCC) has ordered the arrest and detention of Montheu and Ngamou Tchakounte Sabin épse Linu; two of the accused persons in the embezzlement case pitting the State of Cameroon and the Cotton Development Company (SODECOTON) against Enoh Etuge James and seven others.

The decision was taken and executed immediately yesterday May 5, 2014 during the second hearing at the SCC in Yaounde. They are accused of attempting to embezzle over FCFA 38 billion belonging to SODECOTON. At the start of the session, the head of the panel of judges, led by Mr Justice Mathias Nyoh, examined the list of witnesses presented by both the defence and the prosecution.

Advocate General, Ngantcha told the court that a warrant of arrest had been issued to Montheu and Ngamou Tchakounte Sabin épse Linu, by the Examining Magistrate of the Benoue High Court in October 2011 for failing to appear in court. But the warrant of arrest was not executed. Defence lawyer, Barrister Paul Tchuente argued that all the parties appeared in court and that the warrant of arrest was lifted by the Benoue High Court. The presiding judge thus adjourned the case to May 30, 2014 pending proof of the lifting of the warrant of arrest.

Enoh Etuge James, former worker of Societé Général de Surveillance (SGC) who is presently on the run, was accused with seven others, Boubakari Bassobo, Tizi Drike Forbet, Ebah Gabriel, Montheu, Ngamou Tchakounte Sabin épse Linu, Wanko Fotseu Samuel Alain and Gouvernaye Dominique, accused of attempting to embezzle over FCFA 38 billion according to the Examining Magistrate’s committal order.

The case was first heard by the Criminal Matters Chamber of the Benoue High Court which declared itself incompetent because the amount was above FCFA 50 million. The case was later transferred to the Special Criminal Court in 2013 by the Garoua Court of First Instance.

Among the accused, only Boubakari Bassobo is a former worker of SODECOTON. The seven others were former workers of SGC Douala. It should be noted that out of the eight accused only Boubakari Bassobo, Ngamou Tchakounte Sabin, Ebah Gabriel and Montheu have appeared in court so far. Wanko Fotseu Samuel is said to have died. Enoh Etuge James and Gouvernaye Dominique are still on the run.

By Elizabeth Mosima