After 25-yr jail verdict: Marafa tells judge “I’m very disappointed but not conquered”

By Tamfu Harrison Bawe in Yaounde

Former territorial administration minister, Marafa Hamidou Yaya who was last Friday slammed a 25-year jail term told the judge at the Mfoundi high court, “I am very very disappointed but not conquered”.

Former Camair general manager, Yves Michel Fotso who like Marafa were standing trial for embezzlement of money; meant for the purchase of a presidential plane, was equally handed a 25-year jail term.

Former CPDM MP for Mefou and Afamba, Hon. Assene Nkou was also slammed a 25 year jail term; though in absentia. He had since escaped from the country but a warrant of arrest has been issued for him; following last Friday’s verdict.

Julienne Kounda, the former CBC Bank deputy general manager for her part will serve a 10-year jail term.

According to the verdict that lasted more than 17 hours, the convicts will jointly and severally pay to the state of Cameroon the sum of 21.375 billion FCFA as damages and another 1 billion FCFA as cost. Marafa, Yves Michel Fotso and Julienne Kounda have ten days from today to appeal the verdict.

It is worth mentioning that the prosecution in their submissions had recommended life jail terms for both Marafa and Yves Michel but Magistrate Gilbert Schlick in handing down judgment said since the offence was their first, they merited rather a 25 year-jail term each.

Meanwhile when asked if he had anything to say after he was pronounced guilty, a crest-fallen and haggard-looking Marafa told the judge “I am very very disappointed but not conquered”. For his part, Marafa’s ‘partner in crime’, Yves Michel Fotso told the judge without blinking that all that was read in the submission did not represent what he said during the trial.

Hours to last Friday’s verdict, the Mfoundi high court was not only heavily-guarded but entrance to the court premises was restricted. Foreign and private press journalists especially were not allowed in the court hall. Those who were already seated were identified and thrown out of the court premises.

Contrary to earlier threats, not even a single voice was until last night that we went to press raised against Marafa’s jailing. The so-called Marafa supporters who had prior to last Friday’s judgment inundated the streets with tracts; calling for endless nation-wide demonstrations should he be jailed have seemingly gone underground.

Not even a single voice of protest has been raised in Marafa’s Garoua base. Political observers however say the presidential couples’ visit to the North, early last week, to sympathise with the flood victims “killed” all planned pro-Marafa demonstrations in that part of the country. Pundits  say should that have been President Biya’s calculation, then he truly deserves to be called a “political Maradona”.