By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Eminent lawyer and International Legal Consultant, Barrister Akere Muna, has stated that individuals involved in the Glencore corruption scandal, considered the biggest of the century, are located within Cameroon.
Barrister Akere made this statement on his Facebook page on August 3. His reaction follows a communique from the National Hydrocarbons Company (SNH) indicating that those implicated in the corruption scheme with Glencore have been identified and will appear before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on September 10, 2024.
According to Barrister Akere, the communique is rather absorbed arguing that the core of the corruption took place within Cameroon and that any meaningful resolution must originate domestically.
“The culprits are within Cameroon; the transactions that gave rise to the corruption took place in Cameroon, yet they expect us to believe the solution will come from London. It is clear that action must be taken locally,” he asserted.
Barrister Akere recalled that when he exposed the Glencore corruption scandal over two years ago, SNH claimed that corruption was impossible due to their internal regulations.
“Now, following the UK’s disclosure of the names of former Glencore employees facing charges, we are informed through a communique that a complaint was lodged in September 2023,” he said.
He pointed out that despite a recent SNH Board Meeting dedicated solely to the SAVANA case, there was no mention of Glencore.
“It seems they are now rushing to inform us about a complaint filed last year, possibly due to the upcoming revelation of names by the English courts. Who is the complaint against, and what are the allegations? All Glencore files have been transferred from SONARA to the Presidency. Can SNH explain why our crude oil was sold at a 30 percent discount below market price? Additionally, why was our crude sold to Vittol (a company accused of corruption in Latin America) at a 70 percent discount?” Barrister Akere questioned.
While indicating that the plea agreement with the US Department of Justice requires Glencore to fully cooperate with Cameroonian investigation authorities, Barrister Akere stated that SNH should suspend all dealings with Glencore due to their admitted corruption and compel them to disclose their Cameroonian accomplices.
On August 2, SNH issued a communique welcoming the progress of the proceedings against the perpetrators and the acts of corruption that tarnish its image regarding the Glencore Corruption Scandal.
The communique, signed by Adolphe Moudikle, Board Chair of SNH, indicated that the perpetrators’ appearance in court marks a significant step forward in the search for the truth in this scandalous affair.
“The SNH, which filed a complaint before the Special Criminal Court (TCS) on November 6, 2023, to identify the Cameroonian accomplices of these acts of corruption, is confident that the outcome of the procedure in London will allow the acceleration of investigations at the TCS level,” the communique reads.
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