Zachaeus Forjindam : Architect of President Biya’s life Presidency jailed for Embezzlement

Mr Zachaeus Forjindam, formally General Manager of Shipyard and Industrial Engineering Corporation (SIEC), and architect of President Biya’s life presidency has been jailed for 12years – 2yrs more than half the total spent as GM of this highly technical engineering company in Cameroon, noted for corruption. Forjindam, said to be an engineer of exceptional qualities, and a member of the ruling political party in Cameroon (Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement), was jailed, at about 8:30pm, on Thursday, after a court in the country’s economic capital of Douala, found him guilty on charges of corruption and embezzlement of state funds. He was arrested and detained since 2008

By Yemti Harry Ndienla

Forjindam, who has 10 days to file an appeal, is required also to pay damage and interest worth of CFA 849m as well as CFA 47m worth of collective compensation for court expense. Furthermore, the former GM, would also see his multiple bank accounts, buildings and vehicles all seized by the state. Three of Forjindam’s partners in crime who misused the commonwealth of the people of Cameroon for selfish purposes were sentenced accordingly; Youta Samuel - 15 yrs, 13 yrs each for Djandé Antoine and Moubala Julius Fotikali including Wegang Anette, Ngounou Mathurin, and Nguéwou Odette. Like their former GM, these accused also have to repay damage and interest of CFA489m and CFA 47m collectively in court expenses.
Though Forjindam, was highly acclaimed by many including the head of state Paul Biya, for his professional acumen and managerial qualities which lead to the success of the company, a state audit found his activities questionable – a situation which lead to his final caging
But sympathizers of Forjindam, portray him as a victim of Francophone persecution claiming the amount embezzled is relatively small compared to billions embezzled by francophones including the likes of Ondong Ndong, Mounchipou, etc… “It’s a very lame line of defense. Jurists would tell you the gravity of a crime is measured by the intent and the act and is usually not equated with the weight of money involved. As the saying goes, the man stole so much that the owner (the State) took notice” agues Sam Nuvala Fonkem. Lame indeed when you consider that the money embezzled no matter how small can be used for developmental projects rather than taking expensive trip overseas, buying expensive cars, building mansions, stashed in foreign bank accounts etc…
The demise of Zaccheus Forjindam, should act as a deterrent – particularly members of the ruling CPDM party who thought by asking Biya to cling to power till death were safeguarding their ill gotten wealth. They should think again and think aloud. Like the fallen Forjindam, it is even naïve for those General Managers of state corporations many of whom have been there for decades as well as other embezzlers of state funds not to read the writings on the wall. While taking advantage of the country’s relaxed accountability system to pilfer, many embezzlers of state funds turn to the public for sympathy claiming to be saint who never stolen a franc. Some even enrolled in Major seminaries with the hope of becoming a priest. Priest for what?