An MMI investigation has revealed cases of severe financial misconduct at the Limbe City Council, implicating several top officials. Our investigations found that these officials were funnelling public funds into their personal accounts. The Secretary-General, Kinge Thompson Molonge, the Municipal Treasurer, Misodi Elangwe Margaret, and the Public Relations Officer, Bau Ngoh Francis, were found to be misappropriating payments for online services offered by the council.
Evidence of Misappropriation
The Limbe City Council’s official website, www.limbe.cm, provides various online services such as birth, marriage, death, and celibacy certificates, as well as land certificates. These services are accessible to people across Cameroon, with payments made via Orange Money, MTN Mobile Money, Western Union, or MoneyGram. However, instead of the payments going into the council’s institutional account, MMI discovered that the funds are being directed to the personal accounts of the aforementioned officials.
Who Benefits from Which Service?
According to MMI’s findings, the three officials have divided the online payments between themselves. Payments made via Orange Money are directed to the Secretary-General, Kinge Thompson Molonge. Payments through MTN Mobile Money go to the Public Relations Officer, Bau Ngoh Francis, while payments made via Western Union or MoneyGram are sent to Municipal Treasurer, Misodi Elangwe Margaret.
Municipal Treasurer, Misodi Elangwe Margaret.
Documented Proof
Typically, payments for Limbe City Council services should be deposited into an official council account. However, MMI’s investigation revealed otherwise. After applying for various services, MMI found that the mobile numbers provided for payments were 699,351,713 and 673,236,350. Upon completing the transactions, the names Kinge Thompson Molonge (SG) and Bau Ngoh Francis (PRO) appeared on the receipts. For Western Union and MoneyGram transactions, the name of the Municipal Treasurer, Misodi Elangwe Margaret, was clearly displayed. This raises questions about the existence of an official council account for such services.
How Long Has This Been Happening?
MMI learned that the Limbe City Council’s website was developed under the supervision of the Secretary-General, who contracted a web developer from Nkongsamba.net. It remains unclear how long this alleged misappropriation has been occurring, but it is known that Kinge Thompson Molonge was appointed in 2019 when Limbe was still under the leadership of a government-appointed delegate.
Charging for Free Services
Under Law n°2011/011 of May 6, 2011, which amended provisions of ordinance n°81/02 of June 29, 1981, the issuance of a birth certificate within 90 days is free. Similarly, the certificate of celibacy, required to prove someone is eligible for marriage, is also meant to be free of charge. The Limbe City Council is charging a fee for these services, though. For example, the celibacy certificate costs 5,100 FCFA, with the council attributing the fee to the cost of stamps, envelopes, mail service, and online processing. Additional fees are applied based on the applicant’s location within Cameroon, even though these services are legally supposed to be free.
Is the City Mayor Aware?
At this time, it is unclear whether City Mayor Paul Efome Lisombe Mobile Ngale is aware of these alleged financial misappropriations. Mayor Ngale, who took office in 2022 following the death of former Mayor Andrew Motanga Mojimba, has not commented on the situation. MMI continues to investigate whether the mayor is involved or has knowledge of this misconduct.