Ndumbe Achile Ndumbe, a 41-year-old landlord and former National Health Service worker, fled Britain for Cameroon in January after police permitted him to keep his passport while he remained under investigation for rape, according to The Times.
Greater Manchester Police Investigation and Passport Retention
Greater Manchester Police arrested Mr. Ndumbe in July 2024 and seized electronic devices including a phone, laptop, and camcorder. Investigators examined the equipment and discovered evidence of possible sexual offences involving other women, prompting them to widen the probe. Despite evidence showing he had previously travelled between Britain and Cameroon, authorities allowed him to retain his passport while on police bail.
A source close to the investigation told The Times that evidence clearly demonstrated his prior international travel. Another inquiry source stated that the situation highlighted multiple failures across police, border authorities, and the Department for Work and Pensions. Mr. Ndumbe has not been charged with or convicted of rape and remains under investigation by detectives, who confirmed that specialist agencies continue to provide support to victims.
Did You Know? Mr. Ndumbe’s LinkedIn profile indicates that he moved to Britain in 2007 and subsequently worked as a mental health nurse for the NHS, though the Nursing and Midwifery Council confirmed he is not currently registered as a nurse, midwife, or nursing associate.
Financial Penalties and Benefit Fraud Inquiries
Alongside the criminal inquiry, separate investigations revealed that Mr. Ndumbe owed taxpayers an estimated £200,000. He falsely claimed up to £180,000 in housing benefit without fully declaring his assets, leading the Department for Work and Pensions to secure a proceeds of crime order to recoup the funds. Additionally, he managed six houses in multiple occupation across Greater Manchester.
Two properties controlled by Mr. Ndumbe in Leigh operated without the required HMO licences, incurring financial penalties totalling £26,486. Although he challenged the fines, the First-tier Tribunal upheld penalties of £12,243 and £14,243 after finding beyond reasonable doubt that he committed the licensing offences, despite his argument that Wigan Council acted without sufficient evidence.
Personal Independence Payment Claims and International Tracking
Sources suggested that Mr. Ndumbe claimed up to £200 a month in Personal Independence Payment while outside Britain, citing mental health problems and a bad back. The Department for Work and Pensions stated that Personal Independence Payment can legally continue for 13 weeks after a claimant leaves the United Kingdom, but officials refused to clarify whether payments continued while he was abroad.
Police are currently working with authorities in Cameroon to locate Mr. Ndumbe and bring him back to Britain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Mr. Ndumbe been charged with a crime?
Mr. Ndumbe has not been charged with or convicted of rape, and he remains under investigation by Greater Manchester Police.
How did Mr. Ndumbe leave the country while under investigation?
Mr. Ndumbe was on police bail when he flew from Manchester Airport to Cameroon in January, after investigators allowed him to retain his passport despite evidence of prior travel between the United Kingdom and Cameroon.
What financial penalties does Mr. Ndumbe face?
He owes an estimated £200,000 to taxpayers after falsely claiming up to £180,000 in housing benefit and receiving over £26,000 in upheld tribunal fines for operating unlicensed houses in multiple occupation.
What steps are authorities taking to locate him now?
Police are actively working with authorities in Cameroon in an attempt to locate Mr. Ndumbe and return him to Britain.
What are your thoughts on how cross-agency communication failures affect ongoing criminal investigations?
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