A toast to state capture, Cameroon style

Arthur Greene

Cameroon’s former defence minister was pictured sipping from a champagne flute whilst attending his own court hearing to face charges of corruption.

Whilst serving as the country’s transport minister in 2019, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo’o was charged with corruption and diverting public funds.

He was arrested and remains in custody in the central prison in the capital Yaounde.

However, looking at the pictures published in Actu Cameroun last week, you could never tell that Ngo’o had done hard time.

Wearing a sharp, expensive-looking double-breasted grey suit – complete with a pocket square the former politician looks content holding a full glass of champagne.

In another picture, Ngo’o’s glass is empty.

Image source: @fidieckemile