Special Criminal Court: Former Douala IV mayor acquitted

The Yaounde-based Special Criminal Court on March 29, 2016, acquitted Dangle Kumase John, the immediate past Social Democratic Front, SDF Mayor for Douala IV Sub-divisional Council, of corruption charges. Alongside Mankollo Titty Jean Martin, a former Council Treasurer, the two were charged with embezzling 131 Million FCFA.

Some 90 Million FCFA was unpaid National Social Insurance Fund dues and the rest, monthly disbursements by the Douala City Council for environmental sanitation campaigns and rents on Council property.

Reading out the one hour, 15-minute judgement, the head of the three-person team of judges, Mr. Justice Richard Wanki, said the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubts.

He pointed out that the judges reached their unanimous decision after most witnesses for the prosecution and the single one for the civil claimant corroborated the defence’s argument that there was no embezzlement. “In the light of the foregoing, it will be a negation of justice for the accused to be held accountable for any misappropriation,” Mr. Justice Wanki noted.

Dangle Kumase John, a retired Police Superintendent, said the ruling showed that there were still people in Cameroon who could hold public office without stealing. “Even though I had doubts from the examining stage of the trial, I still believed that there was justice in Cameroon if you prove your case beyond reasonable doubts,” Dangle Kumase said.

“Justice has been seen to be done. This is an eye opener to the public because many people think that the Special Criminal Court is a guillotine to finish off anyone who is brought before it. If you prove your case, you will be acquitted,” commented Barrister Ashu Agbor Emmanuel, the lead counsel for Dangle Kumase John.