Here Are The Six (6) Mayors Caught In Same Web As Tenoh Lawrence

The public Treasury expects some 163.690.000 FCFA to be chipped-in. yet, only 17.3 million FCFA may come-in, following the arrest and incarceration of Lawrence Ndangoh Tenoh. The Batibo Mayor had initially paid-in 700.000 FCFA out of 18 million FCFA, which he was supposed to have paid-in, for communal stamps he collected. Mayor Tenoh was not alone in the deal, wherein allegations are rife that Mayors had exploited to line their pockets. Tenoh too was not the highest debtor, yet, the first to be picked-up. If cognizance was taken as to who had to be picked-up first: according to the amount owed, then Agogho Johnny, CPDM Mayor of Andek would have been the first, with 34 million FCFA; then Amahndong Godwill, CPDM 1^st Deputy Mayor of Njikwa with 32.8 million. Tenoh would have been fifth, after the SDF Babessi Mayor, Tikanjoh Stephen with 21.8 million FCFA and SDF Mbengwi Mayor, Tah George Mbah with 20 million FCFA.

Tenoh could just merely be scape-goated, given his other malfeasances. With indications that Mayor Tenoh would appear in court on Thursday July 2, 2012, the six other Mayors, placed on same list have allegedly been restive. Political commentators however hold that the implication of the Mayors would become a political regress in their varied constituencies/municipalities. What interests did each of them represent? This has been the question.

Political Implications For 6 Mayors

* Mayor Tenoh Lawrence is of the Batibo SDF stronghold; a constituency wherein Hon Joseph Mbahndam, a legal mind/constitutionalist operates. Mbahndam stands for transparency and would not want to back a corrupt Mayor. It is widely held that if SDF caused Mounchipou Seydou to be jailed; attempted to effect arrests of Iya Mohammed and Issa Tchiroma, it cannot therefore preach virtue, yet practice vice. For those who say Tenoh’s arrest is to crush Hon Mbahndam therefore, may score a point given that the CPDM mayor for Andek and North West Regional President of the United Councils and Cities of Cameroon, UCCC is also hooked. According to facts, Tenoh took stamps worth 18 million FCFA, yet paid just 700.000 FCFA. By implication, he has 17.3 million to pay back.

*Agogho Johnny is Mayor of Andek (Ngie). He was supposed to have been the one arrested first to set an example, given that he took stamps worth 34 million FCFA (the highest so far), yet no franc paid back. According to Chronicle’s investigations, the mayors collect the stamps unknown to their municipal treasurers: they auction them at a give-away price in the black market and thereon pocket the money. This had since been unveiled.

*Amahndong Godwill is First (1^st) Deputy Mayor of Njikwa. He received stamps amounting to 33.8 million FCFA and paid-in only a million FCFA. Implicitly, he owes 32.8 million FCFA. Commentators have since questioned how the first deputy could be indulged in financial transactions, a domain reserved only for the mayor. But as Chronicle gathered, Amahndong is a lousy and pompous fellow. It is alleged that he easily swayed the ageing mayor of Njikwa Aziah Venom Smith.

*Tikanjoh Stephen is the SDF Mayor of Babessi council in Ngoketunjia division. This is the heaven of Hon Yoyo Emmanuel, the man expected to stage a come-back into parliament. Tikanjoh took stamps for 22 million but paid-in just 200.000 FCFA. By implications, he still has 21.8 million FCFA to pay-in. Allegations are rife that Tikanjoh’s stamps were stolen while other  sources allege that nothing of that sort happened.

Tikanjoh just recently graduated from ENS Bambili. He is one of the mayors whom Fru Ndi discarded. He survived thanks to Hon Yoyo’s prowess. Yet, with the stamp racket, it is not Tikanjoh but Yoyo’s image in mind. Yoyo is a straight-forward gentleman who will not want a stain on his name. Should Tikanjoh be guilty, Yoyo would distant himself and allow him to face the law.

*Tah George Mbah is the SDF Mayor for Mbengwi. He is supposed to pay-in 20 million FCFA in same stamps deal like Tenoh. It is unclear as to how Mayor Tah George auctioned his own stamps, though allegations are rife that he could have exploited same channel like Mayor Tenoh. The Batibo mayor allegedly auctioned his to a certain Emmanuel Becks. Today, he is said to be in bad shape.

* The Balikumbat and Ndop Mayors respectively are Wasum Augustine and Ntoh Daniel. Each of them collected stamps for 10 million FCFA, paid-in 205.000 FCFA. They are thus expected to pay back 9.795.000 FCFA each.

* Other Casualties include Godlove Awanakam, former SDF mayor of Andek with 4 million FCFA; Mbon Wilfred, former CPDM mayor of Mbiame with 6 million FCFA and Kum Simon Buh, a businessman of the Mbiame council, with 8 million FCFA.

PCC Plagued Over Massive Exodus From PC Ngomgham After Rev Warah’s Dismissal

- Synod Clerk Petitioned About Varied Anomalies

By Shey Wirba

It was Rev Abwenzoh William Membong, Synod Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, who signed the decision, confirming the termination of Rev Che Warah Solomon. In the 2-paged documents, the Synod Clerk reiterated to Rev Warah that “you have terminated your services with the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon”. Signed last June 02, 2012, Rev Warah received his termination letter on June 05, 2012 (3 days later) and signed. Rev Warah was not categoric in a press release he signed in reaction, 11 days later. Yet, over a month after the dictate, the Presbyterian Church, PC Ngomgham where Rev Warah served as Assistant Pastor has reacted sharply. The reaction, Chronicle is aware, follows the stranded nature of Christians who worshipped at PC Ngomgham. Accordingly, within the last 6 weeks, all has not gone well at PC Ngomgham.

A memo titled “Re-termination of Rev Che Warah Solomon”, a copy of which Chronicle has, pinpoints on the nitty-gritties. The memo is co-signed by the Parish Pastor, Rev. Teddy Kangong; Congregational Chairman, Fred Amohlon; his Vice Ngwa Emmanuel, Secretary, Aseka Obed and 13 Elders.

The most satanic aspect of the memo is the fact that the immediate effects of the termination of Rev Warah on the Christian community of PC Ngomgham has been “massive exodus of Christians; a drop in financial contributions and scape-goating and suspicion of session members”.

In the last edition of Chronicle, we pinpointed some of the hidden facts why Rev Warah was sacked from PCC. Yet, most of those attached to him have not been able to be convinced.

According to the Ngomgham congregation, they urge PCC hierarchy to provide to them authentic information about the faults of Rev Warah. To this, they say run-away Christians would be convinced about Rev Warah’s destitution and stage a forceful come-back.

So far, Rev Warah operates at the Bamenda congress hall every Sunday. At one point, he preached at the “Nkanikwi hall” at Ngomgham. Attendance at his service has been massive and unprecedented. It is believed that 90% of Christians at PC Ngomgham have joined Rev Warah in his new ministry. Some style it “Zion”, while others merely aver that Rev Warah is still to come out with a name for his new ministry.

One factor accounts as to why Rev Warah has pulled Christians of PC Ngomgham towards his ministry. His healing prowess, which had since been contested by PCC hierarchy, has projected him to fame. Commentators however argue that Rev Warah had been pulsating outside the dictates of PCC. According to a PCC insider, even Moderator Asana had been the one protecting him from being destituted. And when the decision was reached in Kumba last June, many thought it was long overdued.

According to the June 06, 2012 reaction by the Ngomgham congregation, following the dismissal of Rev Warah, and addressed to the PCC Synod Clerk, with the PCC Moderator, Mezam Presbyterian Secretary copied, it reads:

“We received with utter shock and consternation news of the termination of our Associate Pastor, the Rev. Che Warah Solomon - a termination which has put every single Christian in confusion, bewilderment and wild speculations. The immediate effects on our Christians community are legion and include amongst others;

i) Massive exodus of Christians

ii) A drop in financial contributions

iii) Scape-goating and suspicion of session members

We write therefore not to question why, but rather to solicit information and enlightenment on the faults he committed so as to be able to explain same to the Christians.

Alternatively, we plead with hierarchy to assign someone from its ranks to do the explanation to our Christians in a bid to bridge the communication gap that currently exists.

While looking forward to receiving a response from your office, we remain yours in the service of the Lord”.

Lele L’Afrique Deben Tchoffo Adolph: Level-Headed, Unassuming Administrator

When one thinks of any ENAM product the first idea that comes to mind is repression and suppression. If the product is from the customs department a businessman or woman, especially those dealing with import/export thinks first cut throat custom duties, brutal seizure of goods and some other forms of trauma and psychological torture associated with such ways of life. If it is about a taxation official, the first idea that comes to mind is harassment and exorbitant taxes. This one is so visible that no businessman in Cameroon would want to have anything doing with a tax official. Through these unscrupulous tax officers, government has over the years tax many Cameroonians out of business. This would not have been a problem if the taxes went anyway closer to the central treasury. The evil thing about tax officials is that they prefer to land the businessman heavy taxes so he/she can resort to underground negotiation methods. The bribes they receive end up in their bank accounts and they buy flashy cars and fly our streets.

Then enters the civil administrator, the famous landlord or ‘Chef Terre’. This category of ENAM graduates is all visible, all knowing and all-present. They are found in every ring of public life. Since Cameroon independence and the replacement of colonial administrators by civil administrators, an average Cameroonian has appreciated civil administrators differently. Before the liberty laws in 1990 and before the reintroduction of multiparty democracy in Cameroon, civil administrators have virtually controlled every aspect of life in the sub divisions, divisions and provinces. They controlled the social, the cultural, the economic, and the political. They had to give a vignette of approval for every event to take place, public or private. They were the ones that ordered the tax drive. They ordered arrests and administrative detentions. They decided what amount of freedom a community should have. Individual freedom is the preserve of the civil administrator. With the introduction of liberty laws and a strong civil society, civil administrators have had the challenge of readjusting to the new landscape. Most of them have continued to resist change and to claim that as personal representatives of the Head of State, civil administrators were above the new laws. Some have continued to ignore all constitutional provisions that guarantee more rights and freedoms to the individual citizens. It is still commonplace to hear that a civil administrator violated an individual’s life and even ordered for his/her detention for upwards of 15 days renewable. Another category continues to rule by arêtes and orders, as if we were in the pre-1990 era. They use the pretext of “maintaining law and order” to harass and intimidate the citizens when modern administration demands dialogue and constant concertation.

President Paul Biya’s New Deal policy of bringing the administration closer to the people did not mean that civil administrators should operate like CIA agents policing every individual’s moves, prying into people’s affairs. It meant that civil administrators should change from operating like the village school headmaster to become facilitators of development every where they are assigned to work.

The Real Administrator

As stated earlier, a real administrator is one who is a facilitator of development in his assigned constituency. He is moderator and above all, a resource person to all development initiatives of the community. He is a link between the government and the governed. He is the custodian of laid-down norms of society. He is a reference, mentor and leader. He is a lover of people, not a “juju”. He is the first to be consulted and the last to be confrontational. Given the stress and the challenges that individuals and communities face in their daily struggles to make ends meet, civil administrators at least, the ones worth the salt, are supposed to be level-headed and with a high sense of good judgment. These are the character traits that immediately come to mind when one thinks of the new Governor of the North West Region.

Governor Lele Lafrique: An Epitome of Level-Headedness

March 23 to today July 23 marks Governor Lele Lafrique 120 days at the helm of leadership in the North West region. The 120 days have been marked by a certain quietude and serenity that no other Governor before him has enjoyed. Despite the tension created by former governor Abakar Ahamat few months before he was transferred, Governor Lele Lafrique has navigated through such waters without any major incident. Working against the background of his understanding that force is the weapon of the weak while dialogue and concertation is that of the strong, new North West Governor, Lele Lafrique has used his first 120 days to understand the Bamenda man. As a new administrator with a new mission and vision for the people of the North West, Governor Lele Lafrique has taken up time to tour all the seven divisions and some key sub divisions. During the tour, he took time off to listen to all and sundry and to dish out some pieces of advice where necessary.

At each lap of the visit, he pledged his total collaboration and availability to the people of the North West. He stressed the need for peace and unity and reminded all that there can be no development without peace.

The level-headed governor never minced words when it came to addressing ills that are plaguing the North West. He advised communities to desist from resorting to violence each time there is a boundary problem. As a typical grassfielder, he wondered why communities that have lived together for centuries suddenly turn round and start fighting and killing each other over a small parcel of land. The governor stressed that if someone has grown up in a community; he or she must know the boundary between that village and another and should not expect a civil administrator to show him the boundary. He however cautioned them that since all land belongs to the state, all land disputes be referred to the land consultative board. The soft-spoken civil administrator was keen to notice that most of the conflicts in the region were generated by elites who unfortunately preach peace during the day and violence and revenge during the night. He promised to work with all stakeholders in the region to see to it that intertribal wars are a thing of the past. The Governor’s level-headedness was demonstrated in triumphant detail when it came to working sessions and audiences. He received all and sundry, provided answers to all questions and all worries. As he ended up in Bamenda, he advised the population, especially a group of vagabonds that move round with a certain A.C Risky in the name of civil society to desist from creating conflict where there is none, and to seek the consent of the administration when they have any crisis. He also took time off to talk to motorcycle riders or “benskins” who do not seem to respect any laid-down rule. He advised them to be duty-conscious and to respect the prime minister’s text regulating the sector.

As a level-headed administrator, he has not been as highhanded as Abakar Ahamat. For his 120 days as Governor of the North West, he has attended public occasions where prayers have been said. He has not asked that no prayers be said at events that he presides. On the contrary, he has preferred to let sleeping dogs to lie. Unlike Abakar who suspended CAMCCUL meetings, Lele Lafrique has preferred to wait for Yaounde authorities. He even went ahead to authorize the holding of a CAMCCUL General Assembly Meeting recently at Azam Hotel where far-reaching resolutions were taken.

Lele Lafrique: An Unassuming Governor

Governors have come and gone in the North West. But no governor appears to be as simple and as easygoing as the new governor. No sooner did he arrive Bamenda on March 22, 2012 than news went round town that immediately the man checked into Ayaba Hotel, he soon disguised and hired a benskin to take him round town so he can see for himself how Bamenda vibrates. He was reported to have gone into the streets without any escort. Unlike his predecessors Governor Lele Lafrique is so unassuming and so simple that the post of Governor does not make his head big. He does not seem to like a lot of protocol and reason why when somebody gets to his office, he or she is received without any question as to class or position. For his unassuming nature, we say kudos and keep on keeping on, Governor Lele Lafrique.

What Fuel Price Hikes: No Lessons From February 2008 Strike?

Petrol and petroleum products the world over have led to wars and revolutions. The gulf war and other wars and revolutions in the Arab world have been because of the quest by some western powers to control oil fields in the rich petrol producing countries and then determine world prices of such petrol. Be it in crude form, that is brute petrol or in its refined form, that is fuel for immediate consumption, its price determines the prices of other commodities. This is why the least augmentation of the price of fuel has led to strikes in most countries as it affects the cost of living and the standard of living of the population. It is still fresh in the memories of alert citizens the February 2008 riots in Cameroon that nearly paralyzed the entire nation. The February 2008 riots were because of an increase in fuel prices that provoked a negative rippling effect in the prices of other commodities. Next door Nigeria and far off Tunisia went through similar strikes because of the increase in fuel prices leading to the collapse of the regime in Tunisia. Despite the February 2008 strikes, Cameroon apparently appears to have come out of the crises without learning any lessons.

Fuel price hikes are imminent in Cameroon, as the government has embarked on an information campaign mission to prepare public opinion to swallow the bitter pill of fuel price hikes. This is so because it is legendary in Cameroon that when the government intends to take any unpopular move or a decision that might attract some anger and consequent rioting by the population, people’s minds are prepared far in advanced through specialized information slots on the public media. This is usually called testing the water. When the minds of the public is sufficiently prepared, then the government slides in the unpopular move cushioning it with apparent accompanying measures that are nothing short of blindfold of the unsuspecting public. Since last week government has surreptitiously employed the services of CRTV and Cameroon Tribune to prepare public opinion on an imminent fuel price increase. It is even being circulated in high government circles that the move is even belated for it was earmarked to begin in December when SONARA publicly announced that it was going to temporarily shut down its installations for maintenance. Government intended at that moment to use that as an excuse to increase fuel prices, but the prevailing political circumstances did not favour the move as President Paul Biya who won the Presidential elections whose results were being contested by the opposition did not want to take chances. After consolidating national and internationally the victory of the October 2011 Presidential elections, government it is alleged intends to gradually push through fuel price increases and wants first and foremost to prepare public opinion through tele-guided information dissemination on the public media

CRTV And Cameroon Tribune Fire Warning Shots.

On July 17, 2012 the Director of Information at CRTV Television, Charles Ndongo invited panelists to the programme, “Par ici le débat” to discuss on the sustainability of the subvention of petroleum products by the state since four years and whether the state should continue to subsidize the prices of fuel at the filling stations. During the programme a well selected pro-government panelists went beyond human comprehension to explain why government should desist from continuously subsidizing fuel prices for it was a waste of financial resources and unsustainable. Charles Ndongo’s debate came closely on the heels of the Sunday evening programme, “Scènes de presse” where the issue was also discussed at length in a bid to prepare people’s mind on the imminent bomb shell. Cameroon Tribune dedicated full pages in two editions just to push through governments ideas. The services of Grande Reporteurs like Martin Badjang Ba Nken were solicited as he wrote a well researched article to show that government was wasting money in subsidizing fuel prices. He ended his article by appealing to his readers to support the lofty idea of government to cut subsidies on fuel prices, for the projected FCFA 400 billion that was supposed to be used for fuel subvention in 2012 could be used to realize other major projects like the Lom Pangar Dam and the building of health infrastructures.

Government Missions Abroad

Officials of the Ministry of Finance led by Jean Tchoffo, Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance who doubles as the President of the Technical Committee for the follow-up of Economic programmes and Ibrahim Talba Malla, Director General of the Hydrocarbon Price Stabilization Funds, CSPH travelled to Dakar Senegal some months back to learn from the Senegalese experience in handling fuel prices. After the visit, a reflection workshop was organized on June 14-15, 2012 between officials of the Ministry of Finance and Transport to brainstorm on ways of attenuating the negative effects of an eventual withdrawal of subventions on petroleum products. During the workshop Boniface Ze, Technical Director of CSPH gave an exposé that provoked serious debate amongst participants. From his talk, it emerged that government wants to henceforth embark on what he called “Targeted Subvention” which might be structural, fiscal, and administrative or on custom duties. It emerged during the meeting that government intends to embark on special missions abroad to countries that do not subsidize petroleum products to learn from their experiences and then implant those experiences in Cameroon.

Trade Unions Threaten Strikes

Prior to this vast information campaign to prepare public opinion, government had struggled to woo trade unions to buy the idea of a price increase. On May 18, 2012 government invited road transport Trade Unions and leader’s of the Civil Society to a restitution seminar in Djeuga Palace Hotel in Yaounde. It was to evaluate a World Bank studies that demonstrated that there was some gross injustices in the subvention by government of fuel prices at the filling stations, because the subsidies essentially benefited the rich and not the poor. The leaders of the Civil Society and Road Transport Syndicates sensed that it was a camouflaged subterfuge to increase fuel prices at the filling stations.

Meanwhile, trade union leaders that attended the meeting insisted amongst other measures to be taken by government the eradication of TVA for transporters, the putting in place of a unique counter for the payment of all transport documents, and the provision of comfortable secured resting places along the highways for drivers. But other trade leaders who were not part of the meeting with government officials are threatening strike actions if government dare increases fuel prices. They argued that the meeting was only for interurban transporters and truck drivers. They added that in the transport sector, the demands and problems are not the same and one trade union cannot take a binding decision for all other trade unions. They requested that the same kind of reflection should be embarked upon with taxi drivers and bendskin riders. While the issue is raising a lot of dust in the transport sector, it is alleged that the government envisages other missions abroad to further prepare government officials with methods of instituting price increases without causing the wrath of the population.

Taxes Raise Prices At Filling Stations

Many analysts are of the opinion that government has a large margin to solve the problem of fuel hikes at filling stations without necessary increasing prices by withdrawing subventions. They argue that the prices practiced at fuel filling stations are high because of the various taxes government has imposed on petroleum products. For instance it is demonstrated that between the refinery SONARA and the various fuel filling stations nationwide there are numerous taxes that exist. According to prices for March 2011 homologated by CSPH, a litre of super inside  SONARA cost FCFA 335, 27, Kerosene FCFA 380, 62 and gasoil FCFA 372, 08. Paradoxically, immediately these same products cross the gate of SONARA they undergo through numerous tax impositions that increases the prices. There are 22 tax impositions on petroleum products that leave SONARA for the final consumer. FCFA 235,95 tax is imposed on a litre of super and this brings the retail price at the filing stations to FCFA 569. FCFA 350 for kerosene and FCFA 520 for gasoil. Trade Union leaders requested the suppression of some of these taxes as the panacea to avoiding price increases at the filling stations.

Wrong Timing

Government’s decision to increase fuel prices is ill-timed. It is alleged that the government move will go operational in August, a month most parents are battling out with the payment of school fees and the procurement of school needs for their children. Increasing fuel prices at this moment will affect the prices of everything and might provoke anger. Equally the social climate in Cameroon now characterized by arrests, trails and sentencing of some regime bigwigs do not augur well and any misunderstanding can degenerate to something else. The consequences of the February 2008 strikes should not be forgotten, especially as some people were arrested and jailed.

It is worthy to recall that government decided to subsidize petroleum products in 1986 to avoid price hikes and high cost of living. FCFA 1089 billion is estimated to have been consumed as subvention between 2008 and 2012. In 2011 government spent FCFA 323 billion and projections put it at FCFA 400 billion in 2012. Studies by the National Institute of Statistics on households, dubbed ECAM stated that irrespective of the petroleum product consumed, beneficiaries were those of high income and not those with low income. This is what government is using to back the move to withdraw subsidies from petroleum products, yet the pill seems to bitter for the masses to swallow.

Should Fon Chafah Extend Olive Branch To Ntumfor?

Here Are Northwesters Qualified To Reconcile Both Big Wigs, El hadj Baba Danpullo,El Hadj Lawan Bako, Cardinal Tumi, PCC Moderator Festus Asana, Governor Lele L’Afrique, Nkwenti Simon, Big 5 Fons

The North West Fon’s Union, NOWEFU, a very strong and closely-knit union that came into existence thanks to the foresightedness, braveness, perseverance and persistence of its initiators made giant and unwavering steps towards eradicating internecine inter tribal conflicts in the North West Region. NOWEFU became a strong rallying and lobbying force for the NW Region and equally projected NW traditional rulers as people who had a vision and a mission to develop their various villages and the entire region. This mission became a priority when the fons of the North West Region in their divine wisdom and discernment unanimously crowned one of their renowned sons, international legal icon and Peace Crusader Nico Halle as their Ntumfor and spokesperson. The NW fons did not end at crowning Barrister Nico Halle as their unique Ntumfor, but unanimously embarked on a nationwide tour to publicly present him to their subjects. The long and short of the story is that Ntumfor Nico Halle served the fons diligently to the best of his human abilities and NOWEFU gained recognition and went places.

 However, things came to a head on August 27, 2008 when the then NOWEFU President General, Fon Chafah Isaac XI of Bangolan suspended Ntumfor from his functions. That single act attracted varied reactions and interpretations across the board. It even polarised the union and paralyzed the activities of NOWEFU. Accusations and counter accusations from some fons made rounds in the media, yet the principal belligerents, Ntumfor Nico Halle and Fon Chafah maintained sealed lips about the issues raised. Ntumfor Nico Halle even vowed not to make any official statement about the suspension. But the inquisitive media on some rare occasions forced him out of his reserve to react spontaneously about his suspension without expressing any regrets or bitterness. Ntumfor Nico Halle merely shifted his usual attention from NOWEFU to other domains. While the domains where Ntumfor shifted his attention there bloomed, NOWEFU withered into near oblivion. Given the fact that the strained relationship between Fon Chafah and Ntumfor Nico Halle has done and is doing untold damage to NOWEFU in particular and the development of the North West Region in general, Chronicle Newspaper with a mission of building bridges between people and communities has taken upon itself to pontificate whether Fon Chafah should extend an olive branch to Ntumfor Nico Halle. Chronicle has because of the high stakes involved in such a venture equally looked at those qualified to reconcile these two big wigs for the interest of the region.

Chronicle holds true to Demi Moore’s pontifications that, “The things two people do to each other they remember. If they stay together, it's not because they forget; it's because they forgive. Gandhi talking also on forgiveness said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong” Robert Muller goes further to state that, “To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness” Relying on these wise  expressions from these renowned personalities that have changed the course of history, Chronicle stands bold to state that a reconciliation between Fon Chafah and Ntumfor Nico Halle is not only possible but extremely necessary for their personal upliftment and the general good of the population. There is a Russian Proverb which states that, “In a quarrel, leave room for reconciliation.” There is ample room for reconciliation between Fon Chafah and Ntumfor Nico Halle, because in spite of the misunderstanding none of them has insulted or denigrated another. We know that the practice of reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions. Yet Corazon Aquino warns that “Reconciliation should be accompanied by justice, otherwise it will not last. While we all hope for peace it shouldn't be peace at any cost but peace based on principle, on justice.”

After any slip or error, be it professional, social or otherwise it is always important to remember that, “You can't undo anything you've already done, but you can face up to it. You can tell the truth. You can seek forgiveness. And then let God do the rest.”

Northwesterners Qualified To Reconcile Fon Chafah And Ntumfor Nico Halle

El hadji Baba Danpullo

He is the peace loving and soft spoken multimillionaire business magnet and owner of the Ndawara ELBA Ranch. Baba Danpullo is known for his foresightedness and rallying force. He is also somebody who loves unity as he believes fervently that unity is strength. This is why he created SODELCO in 1993 to unite the indigenous Mbororos and seek common solutions to their perennial problems. Both Ntumfor Nico Halle and Fon Chafah have cordial relationships with Baba Danpullo and he clearly knows the disposition of each of them and can serve as a perfect bridge between the two big wigs. El hadji Baba Danpullo knows the frank talk of Ntumfor Nico Halle, especially as Ntumfor Nico Halle immediately swung into action to diffuse the tension that mounted between the Santa population and Baba Danpulo about land. During the crisis meeting organised in the precincts of North West Governor’s office, Ntumfor Nico Halle played a vital role to strike a compromise between the population and Baba Danpullo. Reconciling Ntumfor Nico Halle and Fon Chafah is necessary and Baba Danpullo stands a better chance given that both bigwigs are his friends and both respect him as he equally respects them.

El Hadji Lawan Bako

Nobody doubts the ability of El Hadji Lawan Bako in dousing any raging fire. He is a refined strategist with a listening ear and a very sweet convincing tongue. El Hadji Lawan Bako has served as proven negotiator and has reconciled families as well as members of the press. He knows how to calm down flaring tempers and is always up to any task. Because of his negotiating ability he has been solicited on many occasions to do the go-between the opposition and the government. It was because of his sense of direction and tact in handling explosive situations that he was chosen as the spokesperson of the Presidential majority. The advantage Lawan Bako has to bring Ntumfor Nico Halle and Fon Chafah to the reconciliation table is the fact that he has always been a friend to the two and has often given them his point of view on many issues.

Rev Festus Asana, PCC Moderator

Ntumfor Nico Halle is Christian of the PCC in Cameroon. He is the CMF National President. Rev Festus Asana, the PCC Moderator is a Man of God who is concerned with the welfare of God’s flock here on earth. His social position and his passion for unity in the church and the society make him one of the perfect personalities to initiate reconciliation between Ntumfor Nico Halle and Fon Chafah XI of Bangolan. Rev Festus Asana is a person who upholds the principles of justice and moral rectitude in society. It is of utmost importance that he does not end at preaching and praying for justice to prevail in society but also initiate moves that can unite individuals that form the nucleus of society.

Cardinal Christian Tumi

Cardinal Christian Tumi is a respected public figure and an opinion leader. His personal views and interpretation of varied issues affecting society has often always been taken for Gospel Truth, given that Cardinal Tumi is a high profile church minister that has a keen observation on society. The fact that Cardinal Tumi is quite respected, chances are that if he summons both Fon Chafah and Ntumfor Nico Halle, who are equally high brow personalities, they will respect his invitation. And like a father who likes to see all his children in harmony, Cardinal Tumi is better placed to talk peace into the ears of both Ntumfor Nico Halle and Fon Chafah and reconcile them to contribute their own quota to the development of the North West Region.

Governor Lele L’Afrique

Any foresightedness and people-friendly civil administrator governs with the elite and the living forces of his area of command. This is when the elite of his area of command are united in purpose and duty. Fon Chafah and Ntumfor Nico Halle are both influential elite of the North West Region. If Ntumfor and Chafah are in unity and see from the same developmental prism, the task of governance of Governor Lele L’Afrique can be made easy in areas where these two personalities excel. And Governor Lele L’Afrique is in a pole position to reconcile them as he only needs to summon them and allow them to talk out their grievances. In the talking process, Governor Lele L’Afrique can pick out the common ground for conflict and seek lasting solutions to such personal conflicts that can wreck havoc to the development of an entire region.

Nkwenti Simon

Nkwenti Simon is a well known negotiator and has over the years settled conflicts between individuals, families, associations and church members. He has a very open mind, a listening ear, a proactive ability to nip trouble in the bud and can absolve heat without blinking his eyes. He is considered one of the rarest go-in betweens that the NW had ever produced in contemporary times. His proactive nature has resolved and settled many explosive situations in the North West Region. He has over the years through his gentle but firm nature in bargaining for better conditions for teachers gathered and garnered negotiating principles that he can use to bring Ntumfor Nico Halle and Fon Chafah on the same talking wavelength. Nkwenti has the added advantage that Ntumfor Nico Halle just like Fon Chafah believes in him and his sincerity. Ntumfor Nico Halle has often delegated Nkwenti Simon to represent him in some public events that he could not personally attend.

 The 5 Big Fons

Traditional rulers are custodians of the traditions and customs of the people. They play the role of auxiliaries of the administration. They equally adjudicate traditional and social matters that erupt between their subjects. The North West Region has some paramount fons that are command a lot of respect and reverence and are usually referred to as the Big Fives. These are the fons of Nso, Kom, Bafut, Bali and Mankon. Luckily these Big Fives are no-nonsense traditional rulers and participated in crowning Nico Halle Ntumfor in 1999 in the Nkwen Fon’s Palace and most of them participated in his public presentation that took place in the Bamenda Municipal Stadium. The suspension of Ntumfor polarized the Big Fives. However, they have remained mute, except for the Fon of Bafut who has been wavering. It is obvious that Ntumfor Nico Halle and Fon Chafah would listen to the words of wisdom from these big fons and would be ready to bury their hatchet for the good of the region. These fons have remained mute all this while maybe because as fathers that are not supposed to be biased or partial, they expected their children to bring their problems to them before they could look for solutions to the problem. It is customary that unless a problem is brought before the fon for adjudication, he considers the problem as not existing. So will Fon Chafah break the ice by extending an olive branch to Ntumfor Nico Halle? One of them needs to take the first move and it should not be the one who has suffered the injustice of the reckless act. It is time to let go all negative sentiments and emotions and put on the cap of reason, thus giving peace a chance. We can only wish good luck to each and sundry that brings both bigwigs to the reconciliation table. We have played our own humble part. Posterity is the sole judge.

Forjindam’s Appeal And Verdict: Chasing Another Crime Not CNIC

Zaccheus Mungwe Forjindam, former Director General of the Cameroon Shipyard and the industrial Engineering, Chantier Naval has within two days received two devastating court judgments that has sent quivers through the spines of his family members, sympathizers and especially his lawyers that have all along burnt the midnight oil to proof his innocence of the financial impropriety accusations proffered on him. The Wouri Appeal Court slammed him a 15 year jail term on July 18, 2012 while the Wouri High Court meted a life prison term on him on July 20, 2012. Thus within two days, his fate has been sealed by the Douala Courts passing from an original sentence of 12 years on drummed-up charges that was on appeal to 15 years and later life jail. This unexpected twist that has come on the heels of popular expectation that Forjindam was to be freed is not strange to any keen observer of trials of those who have been rightly or wrongly tagged as members of the G11. Each member of the infamous cooked up G11 phenomenon that has been to court has seen a series of accusations brought against him.

Interestingly, all the cases on appeal of those considered to belong to the infamous G11, an appellation purportedly created to settle political scores, have all seen their prison terms increased on appeal. However, during all the appeals, most of the accusations are dropped, yet the prison terms have always been increased, giving away the idea that justice is out to chase the culprits for unexplained and hidden reasons and not to render equitable justice. In most of the cases, those accused are sentenced in piece meal with further accusations coming up each day to ensure that the accused remain in prison. A general overview of the cases of those accused of embezzlement, judged and sentenced and have appeal their cases, reveals that the prison terms have always increased, despite the fact that during the appeals, the judges drop some of the accusations raising hope in the minds of the incarcerated and their supporters only to nail these people at the end.

Titus Edzoa

Although Titus Edzoa was long arrested before the advent of the G11 phenomenon, his trial has followed the same pattern as that of the purported members of the G11. This is apparently so because Titus Edzoa himself resigned in 1997 because he wanted to challenge the Head of State, Paul Biya. He was arrested on drummed-up charges of embezzlement and incarcerated. After a court case that suffered numerous adjournments, he was given 15 years imprisonment. Titus Edzoa still nursed hopes of coming out and continuing with his political dream. He was shot in mid flight as two years to the end of his imprisonment; fresh accusations were proffered on him. He is in court and the investigating magistrate has asked for the matter to start afresh. Chances are that the new accusations will seal his fate as that proffered on Forjindam that gave him a life jail term.

Alphonse Siyam Siwé

On December 13, 2006, 13 people were condemned by the Bonanjo High Court for embezzlement of public funds at the Douala Ports Authority. Alphonse Siyam Siwé, former General Manager of that institution who was then serving as Minister of Mines and Water was sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment for what was referred to by the collegiate of judges that tried the case as gross embezzlement. Alphonse Siyam Siwé’s lawyers cried foul and immediately went on appeal. The Wouri Appeal Court on June 10, 2009 instead transformed the original 30 years imprisonment of Alphonse Siyam Siwé into life jail. Thus the appeal set a precedence and any appeal of the judgments of the members of the purported G11 have been following the same direction.

Edouard Etondé Ekoto

He was in the Cameroon Defense forces and went on voluntary retirement at a very tender age. His retirement was unexpected and the regime decided to put an eye on him. To make sure that he was kept at bay, he was appointed Government Delegate to the Douala City Council. As Board chairman of the Douala Ports Authority, Edouard Etondé Ekoto was on December 13, 2006 sentenced to 10 years imprisonment alongside 13 other co-accusers who received varied jail terms. His lawyers went on appeal and on June 10, 2009 his prison term of 10 years was increased to 15 years. But before his appeal went through, Edoaurd Etondé Ekoto was again dragged to court for other charges in January 2008. He was dragged to court alongside some of his former collaborators for embezzlement of funds at the Douala City Council. After several adjournments that infuriated Edouard Etondé Ekoto, it was decided that he had 15 other charges dangling over his head. Despite the abandonment of the accusations by some of those that initiated it, the State Prosecutor decided to hold all the abandoned charges on Etondé Ekoto. From the look of things, it appears only a life jail term is awaiting him as a means to completely keep him in prison.

Zaccheus Forjindam

Despite the numerous favourable twists that characterized the Forjindam’s appeal, giving hope that he was to be liberated, the unexpected still happened at the Wouri Appeal Court on July 18, 2012. Forjindam was slammed a 15 year jail term. Prior to the bomb shell unleashed by the Wouri Appeal Court, popular expectation was that Zaccheus Mungwe Forjindam who was sentenced by the Wouri High Court for 12 years was going to be acquitted by the Appeal Court. This general mode and expectation emanated from the way his lawyers handled the case during the appeal producing documents that absolve him from the accusations of embezzlement that were meted on him. But this was not going to happen as Forjindam was instead slammed 15 years, thus adding three years to his previous conviction of 12 years. During the appeal trial, the State Prosecutor had asked for a life sentence for Forjindam.  The State prosecutor’s wish was exorcised by the Wouri High Court. After sentencing him for 15 years, Forjindam was expected to turn up in court the next day to answer other charges of embezzlement brought against him by officials of Chantier Naval. Forjindam who was completely devastated by the 15 years handed to him by the Wouri Appeal Court refused to turn up for the court session that was scheduled for July 19, 2012. On July 20, 2012 the court handed him a life jail term in the case that accused him of the embezzlement FCFA 206 million.

Interestingly, before he was handed 15 years imprisonment and later a life jail term, some of the major accusations of embezzlement that were levied on Forjindam and on which base the Wouri High Court sentenced him to 12 years were dropped and instead of this giving a leeway for Forjindam’s acquittal or a drop in his jail term, the Wouri Appeal Court increased the number of years he has to be incarcerated. Many judicial analysts have interpreted the judgment of the Wouri Court as a paradox of paradoxes, especially as some co-accusers were acquitted while Forjindam was further nailed to the cross.

Without going through the details of the appeal and the verdict, which acquitted Forjindam of many of the previous accusations and refunded most of his seized movable and immovable properties, just for the Wouri High Court to slammed on him a life jail term, it could be observed that Forjindam’s case like most of the cases have been to chase another crime, be it imaginary or real in a bid to victimize some particular people.

Operation Epervier’s Segregations: Similar Crimes Different Jurisdictions.

What Compromise On Those Tried & Sentenced In Normal, Special Criminal Courts And Supreme State Audit?

 A phrase purely Cameroonian has come to stay in the psyche of the citizens. This phrase, whose mere mention sends jitters down the spines of people, because of its devastating effect, is what is known as Operation Epervier; roughly translated into the English Language as Operation Sparrow Hawk. Conventional wisdom has it that a hawk is a bird of prey, and that a hawk is clumsy and heavy and depends much on proper cover ups to pounce on its prey, thus guaranteeing its source of food and survival. A sparrow on the contrary is very fast, agile and exceedingly dexterous. Those who coined the word Sparrow Hawk must have had something ominous in their minds to combine the attributes of two birds of prey in one. Thus a Sparrow Hawk should surely be a fast and tricky predator that takes its prey by surprise. This is exactly what is happening with the Operation Epervier in Cameroon where most people who fall prey to the claws of the Sparrow Hawk are taken by surprise on mere suspicion and jailed, before charges are, if ever they are drummed-up to proffer on them.

What Is Operation Epervier?

It is the name given to the anti-corruption drive that was instituted in Cameroon in 2004 through pressure from foreign donors to curb corruption that had propel Cameroon to win the corruption trophy twice uncontested. On inception, Operation Epervier normally is supposed to be a judiciary procedure to judge those found guilty of corruption and embezzlement. It is not supposed to end at picking up people and incarcerating them but speedily trying them and recuperating the funds they are accused of haven siphoned. Unfortunately Operation Epervier is everything but this.  It has become an avenue for political score settling, tribal alienation and why not some ethnic cleansing. Paradoxically, Operation Epervier that was instituted under the government of Thomas Ephraim Inoni in 2004 today has Ephraim Inoni as one of the victims. Has the hunter become the hunted, many are asking. Yet circumstances of Inoni’s arrest and incarceration remain clouded with a lot of unanswered questions and polemic. People think he is a victim of circumstances as he had to be picked up to give the impression that the Operation Epervier was not out to victimize people from a particular region or that only one particular tribe had a penchant for siphoning the public purse.

Operation Epervier’s Segregations: One Weight Two Measures

Today more than 15 former Ministers and three scores of Directors are incarcerated in various cells and prisons for embezzlement of public funds. Some of them have passed through what is described as kangaroo trials and slammed prison terms while some are still in pre-trial detentions awaiting trials. What is making news is that Operation Epervier has apparently diverted from its original target of fighting corruption to fighting particular individuals who at one time showed their penchant for political power. Most of those held in detention are those who were one time tagged as the G11 in Cameroon, or better put those who wanted to contest the 2011 Presidential elections.

According to the universal principles of criminality, everybody is considered innocent until proven guilty. The Operation Epervier has reversed this universal principle and everybody is guilty and has the onus to prove that he/she is innocent. This is why most of the court cases of those arrested for embezzlement are frequently adjourned as the defense lawyers usually attack the cases for lack of substantive justifications of the charges proffered on those incarcerated.

At one time, it was circulated that Operation Epervier targeted only people from a particular region. Voices were raised by others to make sure that all the regions of Cameroon were touched as if to say that the Operation Epervier was out to victimize people and not to clean the system of corruption. And as if to ensure regional balance in the Operation Epervier individuals were surreptitiously picked up from the four cardinal points of the Republic. What make news is how justice is being rendered in the Operation Epervier as the methods used and the selective trials leave room for people to question the raison d’etre of Operation Epervier. Some people have been tried by the normal courts and sentenced. A special Criminal court has been created to try others with the possibility of them reimbursing the sums they are accused of and escaping imprisonment. Yet others are merely invited by the Supreme State Audit and tried in chambers with simple blames and requests for them to pay back what they have embezzled. Why should the same weight have two measures?

Selective Trials And Punishments

Operation Epervier is in its third phase now, yet some people who were arrested in the first phase are still to have a fair trial. Alphonse Siyam Siwé was slammed 30 years for accusations of embezzlement at the Douala Ports Authority in 2007. In 2008 former Minister of the Economy and Finance, Polycarpe Abah Abah and former Public Health Minister, Urbain Olanguena Awono and other collaborators were arrested on charges of embezzlement. Their trials have suffered numerous adjournments. Curiously, Polycarpe Abah Abah was speedily judged for a purported attempted escape from the Kondengui Central prison and slammed six years imprisonment, meanwhile the principal accusations of embezzlement levied on him is pending due to lack of sufficient charges.

According to the spirit of the newly created Special Criminal Tribunal, cases have a maximum of the three months to be trashed. And those found guilty can pay the embezzled amounts and regain their liberty. Marafa Hamidou Yaya and Yves Michel Fotso would be tried in line with the spirit of the new Criminal Court. The question is why should this Special Criminal Court not retry all the cases of embezzlement? This is because those who have been tried by the normal courts have been unduly punished for the same crime while those who will be tried by the Special Criminal Courts have the possibility of going unpunished. What qualifies a case to be tried by the normal courts and the Special Criminal Courts?

Marafa Hamidou Yaya was arrested alongside Ephraim Inoni. Marafa has already appeared in court while Ephraim Inoni has not. What is the cause of these selective trials that give the impression that some people are being favoured in the Operation Epervier? Actually, Yves Michel Fotso, Jerome Mendouga, former Cameroon ambassador to USA and Jean Marie Atangana Mebara were arrested for the same case that has taken Inoni and Marafa to prison. Presently it is only Marafa and Yves Michel Fotso appearing in court and not all those accused of embezzling funds destined for the purchase of the Presidential aircraft. Worst of all some culprits have already been sentenced on the same crime while others are still under judicial inquiries. What will become of the case if those still to be tried point accusing fingers on those already tried and acquitted in the same case?

Some of those who are incarcerated by the operation Epervier and their supporters are aghast with the different jurisdictions that are investigating embezzlement in Cameroon. Before their arrest some of them went through hell in the hands of the Judicial Police that grilled them for long hours, subjecting them to psychological torture. Others were picked up on the least suspicion of embezzlement or mere denunciation by CONAC or Supreme State Auditors and are now languishing in jail without any prove of embezzlement. Yet others that have been found wanting or have been denounced by the press as embezzlers are still parading the streets. Recently the Supreme State Audit made public the names of some people and the amounts they have misappropriated. Contrary to popular expectations, these personalities were merely asked to refund the amounts they embezzled with some little fines. This gives away the impression that any vote holder can embezzle funds, invest these funds and reap profits from these funds and repay them when found wanting. But this is happening when others are wallowing in jail for same economic crimes.

Are some people being protected is the question being asked by many political analysts. The fact that the same economic crime has different punishment has come to confirm the widely circulated notion that Operation Epervier is out to put at a comfortable distance all potential political challengers of the Head of State. This is further justified by the fact that when Titus Edzoa, former Secretary General at the Presidency and Health Minister who doubled as Paul Biya’s personal physician resigned in 1997 to challenge him in that year’s presidential elections, he was immediately arrested and charged for embezzlement. He was slammed 15 years and when he was just two years to the end of his jail term, new accusations were levied against him to make sure that he remained in jail. A close look at those who have been given heavy jail terms reveals that they are those whose names circulated in the media at one time in Cameroon as members of the G11.This is why Titus Edzoa, Atangana Mebara, Abah Abah, Olaguena Owono and others have maintained throughout their incarceration that they are being victimised for their political ambitions and not for embezzlement. Marafa Hamidou Yaya through his open letters has given away the same idea that he is being incarcerated for political reasons as he asked the Head of State not to take another mandate in 2004. Many are those who hold strongly that the Operation Epervier is a mere tool in the hands of the regime to instil discipline and victimize political adversaries and not a judiciary tool to render equitable justice. If not, why the flagrant discrepancy in judging the same crime in different jurisdictions with different sanctions?