Retired Colonel Émile Joël Bamkoui, Cameroon’s former head of military intelligence, failed to respond to a summons issued in early September seeking his testimony in an investigation involving a former general staff officer wanted in connection with an alleged identity theft and extortion scheme, Africa Intelligence reported on October 22.
The summons was issued by Serge Eko, head of Cameroon’s Interpol bureau, as part of an investigation into former army captain Romuald Effoudou, who previously headed the intelligence office within the president’s special staff. Effoudou was dismissed from the army in March 2024 and is suspected of involvement in a scheme targeting Rear Admiral Joseph Fouda, a senior figure close to President Paul Biya.
According to Africa Intelligence, Effoudou is suspected of helping businessman Hervé Parfait Mbapou impersonate Fouda and extort money from prominent Cameroonian figures. An arrest warrant was issued against Effoudou by Cerlin Belinga, who was then the government commissioner at the military tribunal.
Effoudou fled to France and returned to public attention in August 2026, when he published a series of statements on social media accusing Fouda and Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, secretary-general of the presidency, of wrongdoing. Fouda subsequently filed a complaint alleging defamation and cybercrime.
Bamkoui’s failure to answer the summons comes against a backdrop of strained relations with Fouda. According to Africa Intelligence, Fouda suspects the retired colonel of protecting people associated with Mbapou. Bamkoui, meanwhile, believes Fouda used his influence with the president to block his appointment as head of the Direction Générale de la Recherche Extérieure (DGRE), Cameroon’s external intelligence agency, and prevent his promotion to general.
Africa Intelligence’s report does not indicate whether Bamkoui has since responded to the summons or whether authorities have announced further action against him. It also does not report that he has been charged in connection with the alleged scheme.
