Hearing for albatross affaire scheduled for Sept 29

The hearing was suspended Thursday after counsel for both parties and the defendants objected to changes levied by members of collegiality.

In this case ex-secretary General at the presidency and Jérôme Mendouga, former Ambassador of Cameroon to the United States are being prosecuted for the embezzlement of 5 million (2.5 billion), in the acquisition of an aircraft for the president of the Republic.

All gathered for the hearing of the third prosecution witness: the Chief Financial Officer of the national company of hydrocarbons (SNH). Me Nomo Beyala, counsel for the State of Cameroon, noted that the law provides that the Court functions in collegiality. And that on the organisation of the court said that in case of the absence of a member of collegiality, he may be replaced by another magistrate from this composition for the debates to continue. But that would not mean that a composition must be changed at each hearing.

Me Clauda Assira, Council for the ex-Secretary wished that "the tribunal be sufficiently, fully and completely informed of all the subtleties of this procedure, in order to get him, a decision which corresponds at least to the legal reality, as it will be discussed." Divide the knowledge of a folder between multiple panels, several people of whom one of them will not have had the overall knowledge of the entire procedure, which is even problematic".

All that was suggested to the tribunal was that the hearing be suspended when the special criminal court addresses this problem.

Consequently, the collegiality members will withdraw. However, Michel Onana, president of the college of judges, indicated that "addressing the concerns of the Councils of both parties, the hearing is suspended. The cause will be recalled on September 29.