Mebe Ngo’o – Former Minister of Transport

Mebe Ngo’o Alain Edgar was born on the 22^nd of January 1957, Sangmelima, Dja-et-lobo division of the South region of Cameroon. The Cameroonian politician has occupied several important posts in Cameroon including Former Minister of Transport, Former Minister of Defence, Former Delegate General of National Security, and Former Director of Civil Cabinet of Presidency. He is married to Bernadette Mebe Ngo’o and is the father of 02 (Lionel Mebe Ngo’o, Jean Phillipe Mebe Ngo’o). He is the holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Economic Sciences which he acquired from the University of Yaounde (1982) and a Diploma of Civil Administration from the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM) – 1985.

Meme Ngo’o Political Career

The politician has this timeline as a representation of the various posts that he occupied in the country and some striking achievements.

1985-1988	Economic Affairs Adviser to the Governor of the East Region
1988-1991	Secretary General of the North Region (Province at time)
1991-1995	Prefect (Sub Divisional Officer) in Ocean Sub division –Kribi
1995-1996	Prefect at Mefou and Afamba in Mfou
1996-1997	Prefect at Mfoudi
Nov 8, 1997-2004	Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency
Dec 8, 2004-2009	Delegate General for Security (Head of National Police) where he was supposed to deal with police abuses which he agreed were present including torture and extortion. “Police of the Police”
June 30, 2009- 2015	Minister Delegate at the Presidency for Defence. In May 2014, he collaborated with the Chadian Minister of Defence and troops were sent to Nigeria to help against the Boko Haram following the Chihok School girls Kidnap.
Oct 2015-2018	Minister of Transport

He ceased from being the Minister of Transport on March 2, 2018 was arrested and taken to the Kondengui Central Prison on the 6^th of March and his wife was later arrested on March 10. His residence was searched on the 12^th of the same month.

Mebe Ngo’o Corruption Scandal

He was arrested in 2018 after numerous years of allegations of corruption and embezzlement from the local media. He was arrested alongside 03 others including his wife Bernadette Mebe Ngo’o and Technical adviser when he was the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of defense. His main charges for detention were diverting of Public funds, Corruption, Embezzlement and Overbilling of military supplies in association with a French company. Bernadette Mebe who was a well-known successful businesswoman in Yaounde and company owner was also arrested owing to the plenty contracts her companies received especially from the military when her husband was Minister Delegate at the Presidency In charge of Defence.

His life in prison

Former Minister Mebe Ngo’o shares his prison cell with Gervais Mendo Ze – Former Director General of the Cameroon Radio and Television (C.R.T.V). Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, things became rough for him since he had to leave the comfort of his cell located at Quartier 19(VIP) most of time to the main courtyard since visitors (his children) were not allowed in the prison. His wife was also hospitalized. Then, he also had the task to take the food to his wife in the women’s ward.It is no doubt that he would be hated by many at the prison given the post he occupied in the government. It is known that shared mineral water to some inmates to blend in.

The life of Mebe Ngo’o is a representation of a star turned black hole by corruption and embezzlement. There were a lot of hopes about him as some thought that the President’s Nephew would one day replace him. His case is one of the many cases of incarcerated government officials for similar reasons and many more are still free and having similar practices based on Cameroon’s placement on the list of Corrupt countries.