Abah Trial: Civil claimant questions bank transactions

The trial of the former Director of Taxes and Minister of Finance and the Economy, Polycarpe Abah Abah, continued at the Yaounde-based Special Criminal Court, SCC on March 28, 2016. The cross-examination of the accused by counsel for the civil claimant, Barrister Nchankou Njindam, sought to prove that Polycarpe Abah Abah had foreknowledge of alleged fraudulent transactions worth over 1 Billion FCFA involving him at CBC Bank in 2000.

In all, 50 cheques were issued for VAT reimbursement and errors were discovered in 10, which were subsequently withdrawn. Polycarpe Abah Abah denied having any special links with Yves Michel Fotso, the Board Chair of CBC Bank at the time, leading Barrister Nchankou Njindam to question why the total amount of 1.148 Billion FCFA for cheques issued, but annulled was later transferred into Abah Abah’s personal account later. The accused’s response was that it was the initiative of the bank and the court should ask the bank officials.

Barrister Nchankou then requested the court to summon CBC Bank managers of Polycarpe Abah Abah’s personal and Department of Taxes accounts to explain the perceived anomalies in transactions. Advocate General Mr. Justice Taguim had no objection. However, Barristers Antoine Marcel Mong and Jean Marie Nouga, counsel for the accused, argued that it will bring no new element to the trial. Moreover, it was already late in the day to make such a request, they pointed out.

Abah Abah is accused by Batock Dikanda Daniel and a former journalist, now parliamentarian, William Mandio and the State of Cameroon, of fraudulently obtaining landed property belonging to a cooperative and the State of Cameroon worth FCFA 1.8 billion. The crime was allegedly committed between 1998 and 2005 when Polycarpe Abah Abah was Director of Taxes.