Misappropriation: Did Mbengwi & Andek Mayors Propose 3M FCFA Bribe To Avert Arrests?

- Uncertainties Over Fates of Ndop & Balikumbat Mayors

By Tetuh Mbah

News about the impending arrests of the mayors of Mbengwi (Tah George Mbah), Andek (Agogho Johnie) and others had spread world wide. After the arrest of Lawrence Ndangoh Tenoh, Mayor of Batibo, many had questioned why he was the only one being ‘scape-goated’. Yet, last Thursday August 16, 2012, the precinct of the High court in Mbengwi was jammed to full capacity. At least 500 people came to acquaint selves whether both the Mbengwi and Andek mayors would be arrested or set free. Allegations had even been rife that Eric Talla, the examining magistrate and the state counsel had been ‘bribed’ with 3 million FCFA not to order the arrests of the entangled mayors. Yet, last Friday rumours made rounds that the mayors of Ndop and Balikumbat had also been arrested under same pretext.

It was midday, last August 16 when State Counsel, Talla cleared the air. All those who had misappropriated state funds were remanded in custody. SDF’s Tah George Mbah of Mbengwi- 20 million FCFA; CPDM’s Agogho Johnnie of Andek - 34 million FCFA; SDF’s Awanakam Godlove, ex-mayor of Andek- 4 million FCFA and CPDM’s Amahndong Godwill- 1^st deputy mayor of Njikwa- 32.8 million . They had since spent their first weekend at the Mbengwi production prison.

Prior to d-day, allegations were rife that nothing would happen. Mbengwi residents therefore had to troop to the high court to witness the unexpected. Yet, the matter was merely heard in chambers. What Chronicle learnt from some of the anxious observers was that the rest of the Momo mayors would not be arrested like Tenoh of Batibo. Accordingly, they had allegedly bought their ways, in ‘bribing’ the state counsel and examining magistrate, with some 3 million FCFA, not to be hooked: that even the Procureur General too had assured.

Yet, the realities last August 16, 2012 proved that Talla and his collaborators are true respecters of the law. Chronicle gathered that Talla banked on the provisions of section 184 of the penal code on suspects charged with misappropriation and felon. This is what Chronicle learnt, was used to nail the Batibo mayor Tenoh. Thus based on same premise, Talla had no option but to remand Tah George, Johnnie Agogho, Awanakam and Amahndong in custody.

The precinct of the Mbengwi high court had been heavily militarized. Combat-ready police and gendarmes had been placed on standby. Even a detachment of warders were at hand.

Immediately as Talla unveiled the unexpected, the said mayors were ferried to the Mbengwi prison. By press time, they were still there.

Many have however questioned why Tenoh, who committed the same crime as the mayors of Mbengwi, Andek and Njikwa is instead detained at the Bamenda prison and not Mbengwi, the divisional headquarters.

Reacting to the arrests Hon PC Fonso, the outspoken SDF member of parliament told Chronicle on phone that it was unfortunate. While Teche Nyamusa, Mbengwi parliamentary hopeful simply said he can’t comment on the arrests. But Ni Ambo Julien, another Mbengwi parliamentary hopeful told Chronicle that justice should take its course. He further opined that arrests of corrupt officials should not be biased, adding that other embezzlers should be trapped too.

The atmosphere at the Mbengwi court last August 16, 2012 was electrifying. Some SDF diehards, including the wife of Mayor Tah were spotted weeping profusely, when he and his colleagues were being ferried to the Mbengwi prison.

But while Agogho and his colleagues may await what the court would dictate, Chronicle gathered that there is another suit at the Mbengwi high court involving Mayor Tah George over corruption allegations. A source at the court hinted Chronicle that Tah George will appear on august 23, 2012 in another suit of misappropriation/embezzlement, wherein he doled out ghost contracts, wherein he was the one tacitly behind. Chronicle gathered that the matter has been brought up by Jaff Edwin, Secretary General of the Mbengwi council.

Meanwhile, the Epervier hook has not been limited only to mayors in Momo division. Last week, Chronicle gathered that the files of the mayors of Ndop and Balikumbat in Ngoketunjia division had been ripe. Accordingly, mayors Ntoh Daniel of Ndop, caught in same web, with a deficit of 9.7 million FCFA just as his colleague of Balikumbat, Augustine Wasum have been placed under strict surveillance. They have allegedly been refrained from moving outside the North West region and monitored.

Last Thursday, rumours made rounds that both the Ndop and Balikumbat mayors had been arrested. Yet, it was less so. Some independent reports however state that they would be picked up this week, to face same charges as Tenoh of Batibo, Agogho of Andek, Tah George of Mbengwi and others.

Additional List

Last weekend, Chronicle learnt that there had been an additional list of mayors involved in same communal stamp scandal and other related scams. The names of Charles Njukwe of Wum, Ngum Jerome of Elak-Oku, Jones Tankoh Mangoh of Nkambe and others were cited. It is unclear whether the PG would also order for their arrests. But as Chronicle was told, investigations about their malfeasances has been going on secretly. A judicial source hinted Chronicle that there will therefore be no doubts, should other mayors be picked-up and detained like their colleagues of Batibo, Mbengwi, Andek and others.

Election of New Mayors

Given the present detention of the mayors of Batibo, Mbengwi and Andek, a source at the Momo SDO’s office hinted Chronicle that there is the need for fresh elections to be conducted. Chronicle also gathered that the councils involved have not have it easy in its dealings; that the case of Batigo is worse, given that mayor Tenoh was arrested almost a month ago and the council has not been able to respect its financial commitments, given that the 1^st deputy cannot commit the council financially.

It is expected that next wee, Isaac Moundourou would state the staging of elections of new mayors of the Batibo, Mbengwi and Andek councils. They would have a year to conclude the extended mandate of municipal councilors. Yet, a source hinted Chronicle that the move may delay, given expectations of the issuance of a decree, appointing new SDOs.

The present Momo SDO Moundourou has been overdued retirement. Once President Biya returns from his private trip abroad and effects the appointments of new SDOs, it is believed that it would be over for Moundourou in Momo. Implicitly, it would be another SDO to conduct the election of the new mayors of Batibo, Mbengwi and Andek, which might take time (Affair a suivre…)