Revealed! How 7 Detained NW Mayors Were Scammed Millions Over Communal Stamps

By Tetuh Mbah

Seven mayors from the North West Region, detained for having misappropriated some 163 million FCFA of proceeds derived from the sales of communal stamps have been crying out for salvation. They have been detained since last July, in the three separate prisons of Bamenda, Mbengwi and Ndop. Access to them has been daunting, yet, Chronicle has been on the beat. Last weekend, Chronicle finalized investigations on how all seven (7) were hooked in the misappropriation racket. We herewith begin startling revelations on each of the seven: SDF’s Tenoh Lawrence of Batibo; SDF’s Tah George Mbah of Mbengwi; SDF’s Awanakam Godlove of Andek and CPDM’s Agogho Johnny of same Andek. Then, CPDM’s Ntoh Daniel of Ndop and Wasum Augustine in Balikumbat and SDF’s Stephen Tikanjo of Babessi. Implicitly, two divisions are involved.

So far, six councils in the North West merely have interim mayors. The actual mayors are behind bars; for their alleged misappropriation of proceeds from the sale of communal stamps: Tah George of Mbengwi- 20 million FCFA; Johnny Agogho of Andek- 34 million FCFA; Lawrence Tenoh of Batibo- 17.3 million FCFA; Ntoh Daniel of Ndop and Wasum Augustine of Balikumbat each implicated to refund 9.7 million FCFA; while Stephen Tikanjo of Babessi faulted to refund nearly 20 million. But what about Godlove Awanakam, outgone mayor of Andek? Chronicle herewith begin its investigation report with Awanakam.

 

How Awanakam Was Hooked

All six (6) mayors detained for their alleged misappropriation of communal stamps money are mayors in control. Godlove Awanakam long left the Andek (Ngie) helm in 2007. Yet, he was picked-up for having swindled 4 million FCFA as proceeds from the sale of communal stamps. Was it trumped-up or simply to kill SDF in Ngie, given that Awanakam is the SDF District Chairman there?

According to Chronicle’s investigations, rather than being duped, Awanakam was coaxed to pulsate in a financial transaction; reason why Awanakam has the least sum (4 million FCFA to pay back). Yet, could he have been faulted given that it was his name that was used to lure his successor, Johnny Agogho?

It is on record that a certain Emmanuel Mbanwei alias Emmanuel Becks, championed what has brought down six North West mayors. Chronicle learnt that ‘Becks’ coaxed Mayor Awanakam to withdraw communal stamps worth 30 million FCFA from taxation in Yaounde . Yet, Awanakam settled only for stamps with 4 million FCFA. And what was the deal.

A source at the Mbengwi legal department confided in Chronicle that statements/declarations unveiled by the detained mayors have been revelating: that it is only Awanakam whose statement has an iota of truth to convince the court to grant him bail.

Awanakam, Chronicle learnt is said to have postulated how Mbanwei Emmanuel paraded self as Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Mbwame Nee Wotufu Enterprise. That he first disguised to repair the Andek council Hilux, before plunging into his nefarious deal.

Chronicle gathered that having repaired the Andek council Hilux and expected to be paid some 1.5 million FCFA, he surged to his chapter: that having realized that Andek was poor and unable to pay him, he urged Mayor Awanakam to instead pay him through communal stamps.

“Emmanuel Becks” and Mayor Awanakam therefore stroke a deal. Yet, as Chronicle learnt, Emmanuel Becks instead urged the Andek Mayor to get stamps, far above what was required. Awanakam, Chronicle learnt, first did what he could. But crossed by Awanakam’s stringency, both Mbanwei and Awanakam fell out. It therefore became an issue, when a few months ago, Awanakam was picked-up alongside six other mayors.

Testimonies in court, Chronicle gathered harps on the premise that Awanakam got stamps to pay back a debt for the repair of the council Hilux. Chronicle learnt that there are vouchers to that effect to authenticate the transaction.

Why therefore is Awanakam detained alongside Agogho Johnny? Could it be because of allegations that Awanakam lured Agogho to get into a deal he hadn’t a mastery? What about  the mayors of Mbengwi, Batibo, Ndop, Babessi, Balikumbat?

Chronicle learnt that Emmanuel Becks had always pontificated to every mayor how he will make them rich. He is said to have quoted other mayors he had made rich. but who are these and why have they not been arrested too?

Meanwhile, the fate of the six detained mayors remain quizzical. Only Hon Enwe Francis has been able to question Rene Sadi, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization in parliament over their fate. Rene Sadi however opined how he will concert with Laurent Esso, Minister of Justice over the issue.

MINATD had nevertheless okayed the appointment of interim mayors in the respective councils in question. Yet, sources at the Ministry of Justice hinted Chronicle that because the crime is on misappropriation, none of the mayors can be granted bail. That though some had paid back the money, it was late and thus are subjected to face the wrath of justice.

So far, Chronicle learnt that only the mayor of Andek, Agogho has been unable to pay back the 34 million FCFA. All have paid; reason why there has been pressure for their release.

Coming Up: (How the Batibo, Andek, Mbengwi, Ndop, Babessi, Balikumbat were lured into the communal stamps racket)