Mebe Ngo’o( How are the mighty fallen)
Aggravated Embezzlement: Criminal Court Slams Mebe Ngo’o 30yrs imprisonment, Wife gets 10 yrs.
The Mfoundi High Court has sentenced a former defense minister Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o to 30 years in prison for corruption, illicit enrichment, embezzlement and money laundering.
Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o and his accomplices received heavy sentences after the court found them guilty of these crimes.
At a hearing held late in the night of 4 to 5 April 2025, the former Defense Minister was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was accused of embezzling public funds to the tune of CFAF 196 billion.
The final verdict of the Special Criminal Court charged Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o with money laundering, over-invoicing and misappropriation of public assets valued at 23.8 billion CFA francs.
The court also sentenced Maxime Mbangue and Colonel Ghislain Mboutou to 25 years’ imprisonment. The two main co-accused of the former Defense Minister were found guilty of complicity in embezzlement, complicity in corruption and aggravated money laundering.
This judicial decision has sparked mixed reactions in the country. Some praise the justice system’s firmness in dealing with corruption, while others question the effectiveness of preliminary investigations. The conviction of Edgar Alain Mébé Ngo’o and his colleagues sends a strong message about the state’s commitment to fighting corruption and the embezzlement of public funds. However many are of the opinion the stolen funds should be returned and ill-gotten property of the embezzlers seized.
