Minister of Public Contracts, Abba Sadou, has ordered a thorough investigation into a contracts awards scam uncovered in the North West region.

The scam has led to the swindling of hundreds of millions from the state by contractors in the region in collaboration with some top government officials.

This fraud was uncovered after a man whose name The Cameroon Journal got as Achu Julius was caught with more than 150 fake stamps representing different government departments and officials connected to public contracts in the region.

According to sources, at the North West police station where Achu is being held for investigation, the scam is a syndicate involving people in key positions in the region.

The investigating officials told the media that the faked stamps were used in issuing clearance certificates from banks, Taxation department, the National Social Insurance Fund and other technical services to contractors and top government officials pursuing contracts.

Through this process, the state has lost colossal sums of money to the scammers. Achu told investigating officials that he was not working alone, but was rather an employee. To this effect, he disclosed that the owner of the syndicate, one Eric Ndikum, once a YCPDM section president in Santa had passed away, but he decided to continue with the business.

However, without mentioning names, one of the investigating officer hinted that a former Paymaster General of the North West region cum pastor and now an elected official was in the know of the activities of Achu long before he was arrested.

But regrettably, the police officer added, the said official did nothing to bring the fraudster to order. Contacted by phone to comment on the allegations against him, the said public official told our source that he had long advised Achu to put an end to his fraud business but that he didn’t listen.

Amongst the documents found in the keeping of Achu Julius were Express Union transfer receipts of money received by him from some contractors, divisional delegates of public contracts, mayors and other officials.

Also in his keeping were contract documents from several contractors waiting to be treated. The investigating officer said all the documents found in his keeping are being classified, that the implicated contractors would be picked up for questioning.

Achu also disclosed that he was the owner of four enterprises, notably Ets Achu and Sons, Ets Atang and Sons, Check and Sons and Juh Atang and Sons, though the police officials said they know the real owner of the companies and he’s not Achu Julius.

Given the gravity of the fraud, the Minister of Public Contracts, Abba Sadou dispatched an investigation team to the region to find out exactly what is happening. News of the arrival of the team sent shock waves round the region and many contractors and public officials involved in the scam are now quaking as they wait for the unknown.

Some officials began expressing worries that their signatures and documents from their offices have been forged severally and they were not able to track the source while the gendarmes expressed shock that even those that are now known to have had very close working ties with the said Achu Julius have all gone underground with not a single soul passing by the gendarmerie legion to know how he is faring.

The Journal will keep you updated on the story as we get more developments.