Three former officials of the Douala Ports Authority, DPA, were on September 10, 2015, found guilty by the Yaounde-based Special Criminal Court, SCC, of aiding and abetting the embezzlement of FCFA 348.4 million.

The trial team was led by Mr. Justice Yap Abdou, the President of SCC, and Justices Moukoury Francis Claude-Michel and Awoung; with Tchoussi as Advocate General.

According to the charges, the money was illegally transferred into BICEC bank accounts of Konguep Tchale Jeremie Ernest in two instalments. Konguep Tchale Jérémie Ernest, a former DPA tax official, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. Mrs Astadicko Daouda Mohamadou, ex-Director of Administration and Finance and Ewang Joseph Marie, another former official, each received 10-year jail terms.

The fourth accused, Ngayene Rosalie epouse Okala, who is not a staff of DPA, was discharged and acquitted. The guilty are to pay FCFA 72.5 million to DPA for the losses caused by the embezzlement. In all, Konguep Tchale, Ewang Joseph Marie and Astadicko Daouda, are to pay FCFA 420.9 million to the State and an additional FCFA 23 million as trial expenses.

Prior to the ruling, counsel for DPA and the State asked for FCFA 229.9 million in losses while Advocate General Tchoussi asked for the confiscation of their assets. On the other hand, counsel for the accused pleaded attenuating circumstances, arguing that their clients were first-time offenders who had families to feed.

Konguep Tchale Jérémie Ernest’s lawyer pointed to his good conduct throughout the trial, recalling that Konguep chose to return to the country from Canada to face the law after being accused instead of fleeing like others.