Cameroon arrests suspect over fake decree claiming vice‑president appointment

Cameroon authorities confirmed that a document presented as a presidential decree appointing a vice‑president was forged. The envelope, bearing authentic presidential seals and a signature attributed to President Paul Biya, was delivered to the Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) headquarters in Yaoundé. CRTV officials verified the decree was not authorized and alerted the government.

The individual who delivered the forged paper has been detained and is under investigation by security services. A government communiqué signed by Communication Minister René Emmanuel Sadi emphasized that presidential decrees follow strict legal procedures and cannot be issued through unofficial channels.

In a related development, Oswald Baboke, deputy director of the presidential civil cabinet, was summoned to the Special Criminal Tribunal on June 26. He faces two separate investigations: one involving alleged gold‑trade irregularities and another concerning the attempted fraud of the presidential decree, which officials have described as a "failed coup attempt." The probe is being overseen by the presidential security directorate and the secretary‑general of the presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh.