They are accused of embezzling 175 million FCFA, being funds meant for the production of secured National Identity Cards and Residence Permits and Passports.

The second hearing in 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, took place at the Special Criminal Court in Yaounde on January 5, 2015.

Jean Claude Fabre and Gondang Marie are accused of embezzling 175,142,100 FCFA, being State funds. According to the 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 Mrs. Justice Eloundou Virginie, assisted by Mr. Justice Awoung and Mrs Justice Zakiyatou, began with the verification of the prosecution and defence counsel.

As was the case in the last audience, all two accused people were absent. The court holds that Jean Claude Fabre and Gondang Marie are on the run and had issued a warrant of arrest against them. However, Counsel for Fabre Jean Claude, Barrister Pierre-Alexis Bayebec, presented a letter of authorisation from Jean Claude Fabre authorising that Barrister Romain Kail of French nationality to represent him in court. Jean Claude Fabre, 85, is allegedly sick and could not appear in court. Advocate General, David Wesieba pleaded with the court to adjourn the case to a later date to give the prosecution time to present the list of witnesses. The Presiding Judge then adjourned the matter to February 2, 2016.

Thales Security System Cameroon signed a contract with Cameroon in 1995 as technical partners for the production of secured National Identity Cards and Resident Permits. The sum of FCFA 175 million was paid to Thales by government in 2011. The money was meant for material needed to produce Identity Cards, Resident Permits and Passports.

Investigations by the National Gendarmerie and the Police revealed that under the management of Jean Claude Fabre from 2006 to 2012, the company paid 175 million FCFA to Gondang Marie, who headed GOMAS, a Thales subsidiary. The operation was effected by Thales Security Systems through checks worth 112 million FCFA and other payments worth FCFA 62 million. These transactions were allegedly on the instruction of Jean Claude Fabre, whereas GOMAS had neither supplied the equipment nor carried out any work. As a result of certain problems, especially the production of fake identity cards, passports etc, the General Delegation for National Security in 2014 ended the contract with Thales Security System.