FEICOM case appeal: Ondo Ndong now to serve 20 years after Biya pardons 30

Using his overwhelming powers that put the courts under his control, Paul Biya reconsidered the
punishment meted out to his friend and ally who claimed that it was Biya who ordered him to abuse
FEICOM’s funds

By Roland Akong Wuwih in Yaounde

After much consideration President Paul Biya has softened towards Emmanuel Gérard Ondo Ndong, a close
ally and former FEICOM general manager who was given a 50-year jail sentence a year ago.

When the case came up on appeal, the president instructed the court to knock off 30 years. Ondo Ndong
will now serve only 20.

The former FEICOM GM will also pay 25.8 billion FCFA along with several other colleagues of his who were
jailed.

Ondo Ndong had given evidence during his High Court trial that much of the 52 billion FCFA that he was
accused of both embezzling and misappropriating had, in fact, been the result of telephone directives by
the Head of State, Paul Biya, as well as generous contributions to the CPDM and friends of the party
some of whom were directed to him by Paul Biya.

While on preventive detention during the trial that lasted about a year, Ondo Ndong often questioned in
shock if indeed Paul Biya knew of his arrest and trial.

It seems that Biya had now acted in due recognition of the many unwritten directives to spend FEICOM’s funds
abusively.

As a prisoner of the president, the courts normally refer their decisions to the president to obtain
approval before applying them.

The constitution forbids any clemency or other pardon even by the president to prisoners serving corruption
terms. Ondon Ndong who had been sure to end the rest of his life in prison now has hopes to be out in his
mid 70s given Paul Biya’s 30-year pardon.

13 suspects jailed, 4 acquitted

The Yaounde Appeal Court passed its verdict on Wednesday after a seven-month long hearing

It was a big surprise to many at the Yaounde Appeal Court Wednesday, 16 April when the presiding judge of
the Special Support Fund (FEICOM) declared some 13 suspects who were earlier freed by the Mfoundi High
Court in June 2007 guilty, and sentenced them to various jail terms.

They were involved, according to the court verdict, in the embezzlement of 29 billion FCFA at FEICOM during
the management of former FEICOM general manager, Emmanuel Gérard Ondo Ndong, whose prison term was
dropped from 50 to 20 years. According to the judgement some of his confiscated properties will be
refunded including two houses, jewelleries he bought for his wives, amongst others.

The prison terms of the other 12 FEICOM convicts were also reduced.

Four other suspects were found not guilty and acquitted.

The relatives and friends of the sentenced victims burst into tears when security operatives transported
them to the Kodengui Central Prison on Wednesday.

Those who had their prison sentences reduced expressed joy although their lawyers hinted of further appeals.

Yaounde Appeal court
Ondo Ndong – 50 years - 20 years
Moise Mbella – 48 years - 15 years
Dieudonne Nguema Ondong – 48 years - 15 years
Jean Bessala Nsana – 48 years - 15 years
Charles Ketchami – 35 years - 10 yrs
Roselyne-bi Ebanga – 20 years - 10 years
Justin Ze Ze – 30 years 10 years
Leonie Angue (on the run) – 25 years - 10 years
Oblavie Omballa – 10 years - 10 years
Eto’o Alain Monebam – 30 years - 10 years
Peh Daniel – 40 years - 10 years
Raymond Aaron – 20 years - 10 years
Bonaventure Ndema – 25 years - 10 years

Those acquitted earlier but condemned again
Grace Ellesa Soppo – 20 years
Laurentine Ngo Bayanak – 10 years
Berthe Kooh - 10 years
Ngot Cho Nyamsi - 10 years
Marie Carine Edjang - 10 years
Ruben Abel Ze - 10 years
Olinga Mvogo - 10 years
Venceslas Ndjomo - 10 years
Pierre Ndoukam - 10 years
Celestin Mibe - 10 years
Marie Gabrielle Etoga - 10 years
Ndode Jermiah - 10 years
Edmond Medjo - 10 years

Those freed
Tchuente Namtchueng
Janvier Onana
Evina Bidoung
Luc Albert Ekomessa