The accusation casts doubts on the reputation of the politician who is pegging his campaign on transparency.

A family dispute that ended up in the court of law may ruin the political career of a presidential hopeful, who before recent revelations, was perceived to be “Mr Clean.” Barrister Akere Tabeng Muna who has declared his intensions to run for president under the Now Movement coalition is having his image sullied by a court case which, in the eyes of many a Cameroonian, is seen as a demonstration of greed and gender-based discrimination.

He, alongside his brothers, Bernard Acho Muna, Walimnjom Fombad Muna, and George Fombi Muna, were sued by their very own sister, former minister, Ama Tutu Muna. The lady who his currently a member of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism sued her brothers for violating her rights to succession. She is laying claim to part of their late father’s property.

Akere for his part is requesting that the case should be dismissed on grounds that it had been trashed by the Douala-Bonanjo Magistrate Court on July 18, 2002. Before the defendants’ counsel, Barrister Bindzi could present to the court, the decision of the Douala court and the elements that led to it, the complainant’s counsel, Barrister Fostine Fotso rather presented them.

Surprisingly he declared that Ama Muna’s signature was forged by Akere Muna. She argues that her supposed signature that appeared on the documents presented to the court in 2002 was as fake as the documentation. Her lawyer requested that her signature and the documents should be examined closely. While the court is expecting the quarreling parties on May 28, the case has kept tongues wagging.

In a recent press conference organized by the Now Movement in Yaounde, Akere Muna expressed worries about the accusations, saying they are not good for his image, especially in the eyes of international organizations that hold him in high esteem.

He however seem to overlook the impact of the case in the eyes of Cameroonians, despite the fact that he mentioned Anglophone citizens have little trust for him because they consider his late father, Solomon Tandeng Muna, a sellout; while government considers him a secessionist.

The doubts casted on his reputation by the accusation have certainly lessened his chances to lead any possible opposition coalition. The renowned governance and anti-corruption expert is now more than ever under scrutiny by citizens who expect him to go to equity with clean hands – especially if he expects anyone to fall for his promise to improve transparency in the management state resources.

Gerard Alingwa