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Q&A: Cameroon corruption court will end delays in trials - official

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:49 GMT

Source: trustlaw // George Fominyen

A boy walks past a newspaper kiosk in Cameroon's capital Yaounde ahead of elections in October 2011. REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye

DAKAR (TrustLaw) – Cameroon has set up a special court to try corruption cases as the country tackles massive embezzlement of public funds and high level graft. But the law potentially allows for defendants to avoid trial if they repay misappropriated funds.

Dieudonne Massi Gams, chairman of the country’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), talks to TrustLaw about the court which will hear cases involving sums of FCFA 50 million ($96,600) and above. 

What do you think about these new measures to tackle corruption?

Dieudonne Massi Gams: They can be seen as a response to the high crime wave, banditry, terrorism and massive embezzlement of public funds and high level corruption.

It is worth noting that the judicial management of cases of misappropriation of public funds, corruption and related offences has been characterised by slow procedures which has cast doubt in national and international opinion on the real commitment of the government to successfully carry out the fight against this scourge.

This special court … will therefore be an efficient and fast repression measure to make public action against corruption and (related) offences more visible.

Was it really necessary to set up a dedicated court for corruption cases? What will it change?

Dieudonne Massi Gams: The fight against corruption has intensified over recent years in Cameroon. However, there has been popular outcry that justice is delayed in certain cases, especially those that have to do with corruption. The creation of the court will therefore speed up such procedures, especially with regards to those accused of embezzling over FCFA 50 million.

The new law says people accused of corruption could have their charges dropped if they refund any misappropriated funds. Is this the best way of tackling corruption in Cameroon?

Dieudonne Massi Gams: It is one of the ways to fight against corruption. Fighting corruption actually comprises a combination of actions, such as (carrying out) studies to identify procedures that can preempt corruption, education campaigns on the need for integrity to remain a cardinal value, communication on the consequences of corruption, motivation for those who are committed to fighting corruption and sanctions for those found guilty of corruption.

However, the overall aim of fighting corruption is to ensure that what belongs to the people is well preserved and that what has been stolen is refunded… Cameroonians have been thinking that it is not profitable to the population for embezzlers to be jailed and the fruits of their corrupt deals left to swell their bank accounts or used conspicuously by their families while they are in jail. The general cry was that if such money or property could be taken from the embezzlers and used to fund development projects in the country, the fight against corruption would be more fruitful to Cameroonians.

Do you think these laws will serve as a deterrent to corruption?

Dieudonne Massi Gams: The law will definitely serve as a deterrent to many Cameroonians. The population today knows that anyone who embezzles public funds will be obliged to “vomit it” (back) as the head of state, Paul Biya put it. Today, it is more evident than ever before that corruption is a losing game no matter which angle you look at it from. Those guilty of embezzlement will either refund the money to the government (voluntarily) or undergo rapid trial and sentencing and their ill-gotten wealth will be traced and repatriated to their rightful owners: the people of Cameroon.

This coupled with the prevention, education and sensitisation actions underway, will definitely contribute to curb corruption in Cameroon.

See also: Cameroon plans special court to handle graft - report