Peter Essoka has been occupying the leadership position of ‘interim chairman’ of the National Communication Council for over three months now, says a member of the Council who revealed this on condition of anonymity.
He said Essoka’s mandate expired six months after he took over from the late Chairman, Joseph Befe Ateba who died June 24, 2014.
The member of the Council told The Cameroon Journal that, “we are all aware that his mandate expired some months ago. But nobody amongst us is ready to raise the issue. Besides, I think it is not his fault. The Prime Minister is to blame, because it is his duty to notify the head of state, and recommend the appointment of a new Chairman for our National Communication Council.”
Going by article 15 (2) of the text creating and regulating the functioning of the National Communication Council, the vice chairman takes charge of the Council in a case of vacancy at the helm.
Article 15 (2) also stipulates that when the period of interim expires after six months, the head of state appoints a new chair following recommendations by the Prime Minister.
The question of Essoka’s extended mandate over the NCC has become an issue because of arguments being raised example in a local French language newspaper, La Tribune de L’Est which suggested that in strict compliance of regulatory texts laid down by the head of state, any actions and decisions taken by Essoka after the expiry of his mandate are illegal, null and inconsequential.
It further suggests that all financial transactions carried out by Essoka after the expiry of his mandate; require a probe by the Special Criminal Court, SCC, given that they were outlawed.
The Secretary General of the NCC is the one who had to be in charge of the institution after the expiry of Essoka’s mandate as interim chairman; given that article 16(1) holds that the day-to-day running of the NCC shall be the duty of a general secretariat headed by a Secretary General appointed by the head of state. “What the newspaper reported is true. But there is nothing we can do about it at the council” our source said.
The regulatory texts of the NCC also points out that the institution is financed with state funds, and La Tribune de L’Est says Essoka would have to justify his colossal salary, financial allowances, car and housing allowances before the Supreme State Audit Office when the time comes.
All attempts to get Essoka on phone proved futile. The Journal was hinted that he had planned a trip out of the country and might still be away.
