15 Years Imprisonment for Olanguena Awono

The Special Criminal Court in Yaounde delivered its ruling on Friday June 14, 2013.

Urbain Olangeuna Awono was slammed 15 years imprisonment sentence by the Special Criminal Court in Yaounde on Friday June 14, 2013. The former Minister of Public Health was found guilty for embezzling FCFA 322 million and attempting to embezzle FCFA 60 million sometime between 2002 and 2006. The sum was meant for various programmes sponsored by the World Bank, the Global Fund and the State of Cameroon to combat AIDS and Malaria.

While reading the judgment, the Vice President of the Court, Francis Moukoury said Olanguena Awono is guilty of embezzling FCFA 322 million. On the FCFA 200 million worth agreements with the Cameroon Social Marketing Association (ACMS) on the fight against malaria, he was found guilty of misappropriation of the funds. On the attempted embezzlement of FCFA 60 million, Olanguena was found guilty of irregular engagements for special bonuses whereas special bonuses were not included in the budget. Concerning the embezzlement of FCFA 122 million for the production of communication materials, it was held that Olanguena gave out contracts to NGOs and associations without respecting the normal procedures for the award of public contracts.

Representing the Legal Department, Advocate General, Jean Claude Taghim submitted the provisions of article 184 (1) and 184 (2) of the Penal Code. He said the only sentence is life imprisonment. He added that in case the judge does not give a life sentence, he should act according to article 184 (2) of the Penal Code which gives a minimum sentence of 10 years accompanied by article 30 of the Penal Code. According to article 30 of the Penal Code, Olanguena Awono will be removed and excluded from any public service employment or office. He will be incapable to be a juror, assessor, expert, referee or sworn expert, among others.

In conclusion, the State of Cameroon demanded that for the attempted embezzlement of FCFA 60 million they asked for a symbolic fine of FCFA 1. He has to pay to the court FCFA 325 million and pay to the State FCFA 16,415,776 as charges without which he will have to spend five additional years in prison. He has to pay the cost of publication of the judgment in the National Gazette. Olanguena Awono had 48 hours to take the matter to the Supreme Court if he was not satisfied with the judgment.