The police have arrested Mounpoudeyi Njoya Ismaël, a popular Cameroonian businessman believed to be close to the presidency, on suspicions of his involvement in the death of the French Deputy Consul, Christian André Marie Hue, last month.
Reports say Mounpoudeyi Njoya Ismaël was arrested last weekend at the Douala International Airport on his return from a trip to France.
“He was picked up immediately after he arrived from his plane and is now in custody with the Littoral Judicial Police,” Equinoxe Television reported.
The media organ further reported that joint investigations are being carried out by French and Cameroonian authorities to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death of Christian André Marie Hue.
Marie Hue was found hanging in his Douala I residence on August 18. It was suspected that he had committed suicide, amid other speculations that he could have been killed and placed in that position.
At the moment, the Cameroonian police have not made any statement on the charges being levied against Njoya Ismaël, the prime suspect.
However, prior to his arrest, media sources alleged that Njoya Ismaël had blackmailed the senior consulate official after threatening to disseminate some sensitive information about him.
Christian André Marie Hue, 66, was born on June 7, 1957, in Mazingarbe, France. Before his death, he was the Deputy Consul of France in Cameroon and Head of Chancery at the Consulate General of France in Douala.
His tragic death disheartened the French community in Cameroon. On August 21, the French Consulate General in Bonanjo, Douala, flew the country’s flag at half mast and closed services for that day to mourn the departed diplomat.
Details surrounding the death of André Marie Hue, remain shrouded in mystery. The French diplomatic community in Cameroon has also been avoiding journalists since the incident occurred.
