For nearly four years, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo'o, former Minister of Defense, and director of President Paul Biya's civilian cabinet, had been staying with his wife in prison. On the night of January 31, 2023 to February 1, 2023, they were convicted by the Special Criminal Court in charge of issues of embezzlement of public funds in Cameroon.

Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo'o was convicted following embezzlement of more than 23 billion CFA francs. According to the Special Criminal Court, the money was diverted through overbilling in the context of public contracts that were considered fictitious. The former defense minister is also found guilty of corruption, interest taking and money laundering. His wife Bernadette Mebe Ngo'o has also been detained at Kondengui Central Prison since March 2019 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for embezzling 310 million francs.