Cameroon ID Card Palaver: Biya's Special Criminal Court closing down on the former director of Thales

Suspense looms over the case between the State of Cameroon and the General Delegation for National Security (DGSN) against Jean Claude Fabre, former Director of Thales Security Systems and Gondang Marie, Director of Gomas. The third hearing took place at the Special Criminal Court in Yaounde on February 2, 2016. Jean Claude Fabre and Gondang Marie are accused of embezzling FCFA 175,142,100, being State funds. According to the Examining Magistrate’s Committal Order, the crime was allegedly committed between 2011 and 2012. 

The offence is punishable under the law according to Articles 74, 96 and 184 of the Penal Code. The hearing before a panel of judges led by Justice Eloundou Virginie, assisted by Justice Nyoh Matthias and Justice Awoung with David Wesiheba as Advocate General, began with the verification of the prosecution and defence counsels. Yesterday’s audience was expected to focus on the examination of prosecution witnesses. Counsel for Jean Claude Fabre, Barrister Pierre-Alexis Bayebec, pleaded with the court to adjourn the case to a later date on the grounds that Jean Claude Fabre, 86, was sick. The presiding judge adjourned the matter to February 25, 2016.