The seventh hearing of the embezzlement case pitting the State of Cameroon represented by the Ministry of Public Health against the former the Public Health Minister, Olanguena Awono took place on Tuesday April 9, at the Special Criminal Court in Yaounde. The audience that thronged the court room as from 9:00 a.m. waited impatiently for the session to begin. As they waited, some conversed in small groups while others dozed off due to tiredness. The arrival of Olanguena at 11:30 a.m. gave hope to the audience.

The session before a college of judges led by the Vice President of the Court, Francis Moukoury accompanied by Yvette Siewe and Mamar Paba Sale began at 11:52 a.m. with the reading of the different counts of the accusation by the court registrar. The session began with the examination-in-chief of former Minister Urbain Olanguena Awono.

Focus was on the embezzlement of FCFA 200 million following an agreement with the Cameroon Social Marketing Association (ACMS) and the attempted embezzlement of FCFA 60 million relating to the same agreement. Following the option that he may give evidence on oath as witness chosen by the accused during the last session, he then took to the witness box for questioning. Defence lawyer, Barrister Antione Marcel Mong sought to know the notion of contracts to NGOs and associations which served as the base for his partnership. Olanguena Awono said partnership is the foundation of development in developing countries encouraged by international donors. He explained that since the adoption of the system of partnership in 2007, the State became an actor. Asked whether the giving of contracts with NGOs and associations gives room to the establishment of public contracts with these entities, Olanguena Awono explained to the court that giving contracts does not respect the procedure for awarding State contracts. Rather its based negotiations, cooperation, confidence and competence of actors. He said these entities are non-profit making organisations.

Asked whether there is a judicial framework between the NGOs and associations, Olanguena said there was no legal framework between NGOs and associations and the Ministry of Public Health. On the contrary, several legal texts were signed by former ministers of Public Health fixing collaboration between the Ministry, NGOs and associations. Asked whether the activities confided to ACMS were executed, he said ACMS received FCFA 260 million and the activities were successful. The case was adjourned to April 9, 2013 for continuation on the production of flyers as communication material for the fight against malaria HIV/AIDS.

Urbain Olanguena Awono is accused of fraudulently obtaining the sum of FCFA 322 million between 2002 and 2006 within the framework of the management of programmes for the fight against malaria and HIV/AIDS, respectively. During the same period, he allegedly attempted to fraudulently obtain FCFA 60 million from the State, contrary to Articles 74, 94 and 184 of the Penal Code.