VERÍSSIMO PINTO

As part of a massive investigation into the drugs trade and money laundering, Cape Verdean police arrested Pinto, the head of the national stock exchange, and six others on 20 December for suspected links to a cocaine-smuggling ring.

YVES MICHEL FOTSO

The imprisoned former director of Cameroon's national airline faced another blow as liquidators announced in December that they are looking for new investors in Commercial Bank Cameroon, formerly an important holding of the Fotso Group.

SAMUEL SAM-SUMANA

Allegations aired in an Al Jazeera documentary about illegal logging in Sierra Leone pointed to bribery within the office of the vice-president. Vice-president Sumana has refused to resign ahead of national elections in August.