By Solange Tegwi
A Cameroonian woman and a Senegalese national are in police custody following an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC) into the illegal sale of the official International Women’s Day fabric.
The revelation was made during a press briefing at the CONAC conference room on February 25 by the commission’s president, the Reverend Dieudonné Massi Gams.
According to the CONAC chief, on February 23, 2026, the commission received two reports via its Green Line (1517) concerning the illegal price gouging of the commemorative fabric. Individuals operating opposite the Laking Textiles agency on Avenue Kennedy in Yaoundé were selling the material for between FCFA 15,000 and 20,000 per unit—significantly above the state-approved price of FCFA 10,000.
Whistleblowers, who were contacted the same day by CONAC investigators, alleged that managers of the Laking Textiles branch at Avenue Kennedy were refusing to sell the March 8, 2026, commemorative fabric to customers, claiming to be out of stock.
However, investigators discovered that the resellers were obtaining their supplies directly from these same Laking Textiles managers, who appear to be orchestrating an artificial shortage to funnel customers towards the intermediaries. It is alleged that a portion of the profits from this fraudulent scheme is paid back to the establishment’s managers.
The reported practices are considered speculative and fraudulent, akin to corruption and the misappropriation of public funds. The creation of an artificial shortage and complicity with external resellers undermines commercial transparency and consumer rights.
Consequently, in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code, all legal avenues leading to reparations will be pursued. Reverend Massi Gams stated that CONAC is more committed than ever to strengthening the fight against corruption, as instructed by the Head of State in his inaugural address on November 6, 2025, to combat this evil responsible for the nation’s underdevelopment.
A stock of 59 units of the March 2026 loincloth, each six yards long, was seized by the Ministry of Trade (MINCOMMERCE). These confiscated goods were to be sold on Avenue Kennedy by MINCOMMERCE agents at the conclusion of the press conference at the official price of FCFA 10,100 each, with the proceeds paid into the State treasury.
The president of the anti-corruption body expressed his gratitude to the Head of the Regional Division of the Judicial Police of the Centre for deploying officers to assist CONAC with the operation, and also thanked the media for their commitment to the fight against corruption.