The treasurer of this up and coming municipality outside Bamenda has disappeared after allegedly withdrawing more than FCFA 10 million from the council’s account.

Julius Taka Babila has not been to work for a month; he has not been home and he has not been taking the phone, according to council officials and neighbours.

Neighbours said he lived an isolated life and could not tell if he had a family or not.

Mayor Abel Langsi confirmed the disappearance of his treasurer but did not comment further.

A few people speculate he must have left the country, an indication that the disappearance is being treated as a theft rather than the possibility that Babila might have be in trouble.

The incident has left many questions unanswered: Can a treasure withdraw money without a co-signature? Did he have accomplices? Are council funds safe in the hands of treasurers?

It is been baffling because the Bafut Council is considered one of the best managed in the country, said a correspondent. “Many people including the mayor have been taken aback.”