The Supreme Court, on February 14, maintained a 15-year imprisonment verdict handed down by the Special Criminal Court on September 3, 2015, condemning Iya Mohamed for involving in the embezzlement of state funds amounting to 11.293 billion FCFA from the Cameroon Cotton production Corporation, SODECOTON.

Other accused in the SODECOTON palaver, Mahamat Karagama who, for health reasons, was absent from the hearing of the verdict of the appeal at the Supreme Court and Christophe Mbiaougam who is on the run had their life sentences maintained. The trio, according to the court order, are expected to pay into the accounts of the state corporation the sum of 12.180 billion FCFA for damages and interests.

During the hearing of the case pitting Iya Mohamed against the state of Cameroon and SODECOTON, the defence lawyers prayed Judge Mvondo Evezo’o to drop some three out of the charges levied against Iya, former General Manager of SODECOTON, and annulling the ruling of the Special Criminal Court. Barrister Eugene Balemaken, pleaded, pointing out that his client, Iya, served the country well and was only asking for a peaceful retreat. A plea which was immediately dismissed by the Barrister Andre Marie Owono on behalf of the state.

Iya Mohamed who was jailed at a time he was hanging on to power at the Cameroon Football Federation where he was president, was jailed alongside several other former administrators of SODECOTON.

Some of the administrators included Clavier Henri, Deputy General Manager, Jerome Minlnd, CEO of the Cameroun Audit Council, CAC, Lucien Fotso, Accountant, Pierre Kaptene, a former Attaché to the SODECOTON administration, Mahamat Karagama, Sales Director and Christophe Mbaiougam who is still at large.