On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, Cameroon’s Special Criminal Court (TCS) handed down a 30-year prison sentence to former Minister of Defence Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o after finding him guilty of overbilling military equipment contracts amounting to 23.9 billion FCFA. The ruling is, however, just one of the most high-profile convictions in Cameroon’s long-standing anti-corruption campaign.
Mebe Ngo’o faced charges of embezzlement of public funds, aggravated money laundering, and corruption. These all stemmed from his tenure as Minister Delegate at the Presidency for Defence between 2009 and 2015.
Who is Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o?
Born on January 22, 1957, in Sangmélima, southern Cameroon, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o built a formidable political career over several decades. He earned a degree in economics from the University of Yaoundé in 1982 and graduated from the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM) in 1985 as a civil administrator.
His career trajectory includes:
- Economic Affairs Adviser to the Governor of East Province (1985–1988)
- Secretary-General of North Province (1988–1991)
- SDO of Ocean, Mefou and Afamba, and Mfoundi Departments (1991–1997)
- Director of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency (1997–2004)
- Delegate-General for National Security, head of the national police (2004–2009)
- Minister-Delegate at the Presidency for Defence (2009–2015)
- Minister of Transport (2015–2018)
Despite his public service accolades, his legacy is now overshadowed by this criminal conviction.
Other Defendants and Sentences
Several other individuals were also convicted alongside Mebe Ngo’o in the corruption scandal:
- Bernadette Mebe Ngo’o (wife): 10 years in prison
- Colonel Ghislain Mboutou Elle: 25 years in prison
- Maxime Mbangue: 25 years in prison
- Victor Menye: 9 years in prison
Bernadette, a former customs official and influential socialite, was also found to have participated in the financial schemes that led to the misappropriation of public funds.
Charges and Acquittals
The case focused on the over-invoicing of military contracts during Mebe Ngo’o’s tenure as Defense Minister. According to investigators, the scheme involved falsified procurement documents, inflated invoices, and kickbacks from international defense companies.
However, the court found Mebe Ngo’o not guilty of a separate charge involving the alleged embezzlement of 196 billion FCFA, suggesting that not all claims could be substantiated.
Pre-Trial Detention and Legal Process
Mebe Ngo’o was arrested and placed in pre-trial detention on March 8, 2019, at the Kondengui Maximum Security Prison in Yaoundé. He remained in detention for nearly four years while the TCS conducted investigations and pre-trial hearings.
Throughout the proceedings, he, however, denied all charges, maintaining that the contracts in question followed legal procedures and that he had never misused public funds.
Courtroom Secrecy and Media Censorship
Despite the gravity of the case and the public interest it attracted, journalists were barred from covering the final hearing. The court did not provide reasons for denying access to reporters.
This is not the first time Mebe Ngo’o’s courtroom appearances stirred controversy—he was previously photographed appearing in court with a glass of champagne, an incident that triggered widespread criticism and symbolised what many viewed as impunity among political elites.
Implications for Cameroon’s Anti-Corruption Drive
The sentencing of a former high-ranking official like Mebe Ngo’o is viewed as a significant step in Cameroon’s anti-corruption efforts. This is led by the Special Criminal Court, which was established in 2011 to tackle high-level embezzlement and financial crimes involving public officials.
However, critics argue that the government’s anti-corruption drive, often dubbed “Operation Sparrowhawk”, may also serve as a tool for settling political scores within the ruling elite.
