Recently, reports filtering from Kodengui Maximum Security Prison where former Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni is spending time for fraud and embezzlement charges alleged that the former PM’s health is in very bad shape and that he could die.
It was also reported that he now weeps uncontrollably (stemming from the passing of his wife last year) and more so, regularly in his cell. The rumour described his general conditions behind bars as very pathetic, with the size of his bed said to be “very narrow” and unfit for Inoni’s weight and height.
But in a recent interview with the Cameroon Journal, Inoni’s lead Counsel, Barrister Eta-Besong forcefully demystified all the allegations, stating that the former PM is in very strong spirits and that he has never wept as rumour suggest.
Besong said he recalled how when they were doing preliminary inquiry into the case, “I read papers that said Chief Inoni was crying every day. I hope they could go and see the man. I hope they could really tell the world the truth about him.”
Inoni 68, former Secretary General at the Presidency, Jean Marie Atangana Mebara 61, were both sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on October 2, 2013 by a Yaoundé Special Criminal Tribunal. Englishman Kevin Walls, Director General of Aircraft Portfolio Management also implicated in the racket that landed others in jail, was sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia. They were found guilty of conspiracy in the embezzlement of 284.7 m FCFA in a botched 2001 deal to purchase a new plane for President Paul Biya.
Reports have since said that Inoni sleeps on a one-metre-square bed, that he starves himself and that he’s been in critical health. However, Barrister Eta-Besong told the Cameroon Journal that after spending over three years in prison, Inoni remains upbeat.
“He doesn’t like what is happening with him like any other normal human being. No human being will like such a treatment when you are convinced of your innocence.”
“I am convinced of chief Inoni’s innocence even to this minute. I am convinced. And if you get the proceedings of the Inoni case, take away Chief Inoni and the names of others accused and send it to an independent judge in any country. Allow them to just read the facts which were recorded and the documents tendered, you’ll see that all the accused will be discharged and acquitted. There were no facts upon which Chief Inoni was convicted. And that is why at the end of the case in that court when I was making my final submissions; I turned to French to make them understand. I asked: “was it time that the lion wanted to eat its cubs?” That was my final address and Chief Inoni has never ever cried in prison. If you go and meet him, you will meet the very Inoni you saw outside.”
Inoni’s lead counsel says “Inoni doesn’t like his position; he thinks he is in prison unjustifiably. I believe and I know from my legal experience and from the facts which came in court that Chief Inoni is suffering unjustifiably. But until a superior court overturns the verdict of the Special Criminal Court, the judgement remains binding.”
Eta-Besong said he and the entire legal team filed an appeal the same day Inoni was sentenced, as well as the submissions. But till date, no hearing has been scheduled to hear the appeal.
“I believe that a fair trial with judges who are not prejudiced, who are not tailored to give a particular decision, any reasonable judge who really uses the law must discharge and acquit the persons who have gone on appeal,” Eta-Besong said.
As to claims that the former PM starves in prison and that his bed is very small, Eta-Besong said “Chief Inoni eats very well, he has food brought to him every day. The prison authorities supervise whatever food is brought to him. I don’t know on what bed he sleeps because I didn’t have an opportunity to go into his cell. But even if he sleeps on a one metre bed, one metre is much better than anybody’s shoulder. You don’t need a ten metre bed to be more comfortable. He is not in his palace or home. I think that he sleeps very well, but he is not happy.”
On the state of Inoni’s health rumoured as critical, Eta-Besong said he’s not aware that Inoni has ever been in critical health while in prison.
His words: “I’ve never really seen Chief Inoni in critical health. I’ve known Chief Inoni for a long time now. I found in him a person who has self control. I must say that he has a lot of self control. Because with the meritorious services that he has given Cameroon, he would have just crashed. But if you go to visit Chief Inoni, you’ll see the same Chief Inoni. I know he doesn’t feel too happy that he’s suffering unjustifiably, but he takes it as it comes while waiting for what will be the final judgement. He’s not crying, not starving himself…”
The former batonier said he’ll stand by Inoni till the heavens fall.
“I’ll be his lawyer until he dismisses me from the case. I’m his lawyer and I’m proud to be his lawyer. I’ll fight his case until the end and even if the heavens will fall, I’ll stand by Chief Inoni. Even if the Supreme Court were to say that he is guilty, I’ll sound it loud and clear that I, Eta-Besong, knowing the facts, knowing the law, know that Chief Inoni is not guilty. They may say that this is a prejudicial comment, but I’m entitled t to my opinion as a legal practitioner. Chief Inoni is suffering unjustifiably.”
Quizzed on the legality of the delay in hearing the appeal, Eta-Besong said, “There’s no doubt that the law is being violated. The procedures are not followed. When all the powers of the country violate the law in this hybrid called Cameroon, what do you do? They see “A” and pronounce “B.” It is absolutely painful and frustrating. If I had known this is the kind of justice system I was coming to meet, I would not have been a practitioner. But I will stand by the truth even if the heavens fall.”
