A disturbing case of alleged abuse of power and judicial corruption has emerged in Buea, the South West Regional capital of Cameroon. Pamela Tijam, 69, has been detained by authorities in Buea for over two weeks without charge. A family dispute over land has led to her detention, accompanied by troubling allegations of bribery involving judicial authorities.
Dispute Among Family Over Land
The story was first brought to Mimi Mefo Info (MMI) by a concerned neighbour in Sandpit Buea. According to them, Pamela and her younger sister, Irene Tijam Mangwa, who lives in Germany, are in a property dispute that lies at the heart of the issue. The two sisters received a piece of land from their late mother. Irene, who is financially stable, built a house on part of the land and recently returned to Cameroon to claim sole ownership of the property.
Ma Pamela, the eldest sibling, refused to sign over the land. She moved their mother’s tombstone to the entrance of the family compound in a symbolic protest, aiming to block Irene’s demands and possibly signal their late mother’s displeasure.
Irene, angered by Pamela’s resistance, allegedly used her financial resources and influence to involve law enforcement, which led to Pamela’s arrest and detention.
Extended Detention Without Charge
Ma Pamela’s detention has ignited outrage from neighbours in the community, many of whom were afraid to be named. They fear Irene could come for them. In addition, the detention violates Cameroonian laws that restrict detention without charge to 48 hours for misdemeanours and felonies or 15 days for terrorism-related offences. They have held her for over two weeks now.
Many of the people MMI spoke to are increasingly concerned about Ma Pamela’s health. Ma Pamela faces chronic health conditions that require daily medication, but she has been unable to access it since her arrest.
“She faces health issues and requires constant medication. It’s heartbreaking to know she hasn’t received her treatment since this ordeal began,” her brother, Lazare Tijam, said in an interview with MMI.
Judicial Authorities Demand Bribes
Allegations of corruption involving the State Counsel of Buea and the Central Prison Administrator further exacerbate the situation. The family initially faced a demand of 200,000 FCFA to secure Ma Pamela’s release. The family could not afford the amount, which has allegedly risen to over 400,000 FCFA, with her transfer to the Pre-trial detention facility at the Buea central prison.
“The State Counsel initially requested 200,000 FCFA, but it has now increased. The prison administrator will be paid an additional 100,000 FCFA before she can be released,” a neighbour told MMI, “I don’t think the family can afford it.”
The family are said to have struggled to raise 50,000 FCFA for bail, but they were told it was insufficient. Ma Pamela remains in custody, and concerns are on the rise that she will spend the holiday season behind bars.
MMI was unable to ascertain whether the Senior State Counsel of Buea who is also the Second Class Traditional ruler of Ekondo Titi, HRH Justice Achia Nawango Manfred, is aware of this racket.
Similarly, it is not clear whether Mikoundo Ndingue Simon-Pierre, the Superintendent in Charge of the Buea Central Prison, directly collects the 100,000 FCFA for the release of detainees.
The buck, however, stops with both of them.
Shining a Light on Judicial Corruption
This case reveals significant corruption issues within Cameroon’s judiciary. The country’s Minister of Justice reports that over 500 judges and magistrates face investigations for bribery and other unethical practices. The Cameroon Judicial Council has not convened yet, resulting in a backlog of cases involving judicial misconduct.
MMI has learnt that the State Counsel instructed the family to return on December 27, suggesting that Ma Pamela’s release depends on their ability to pay the demanded bribes. He allegedly threatens to escalate the matter into a criminal case if he does not receive the money.
Friends and Neighbours seek justice.
Irene has allegedly refused pleas from families and neighbours to resolve this matter out of court.
“She said she would use all her resources to teach Pamela a lesson,” a neighbour told MMI.
Lazare, as the head of the family, told MMI he was unaware of how the matter became a criminal case. Despite being pushed, he would not say anything against Irene. He maintained his resolve to address this issue within the family and traditionally.
“This is a family matter that should stay out of the police and the courts,” he told MMI. “Our village in the West Region will handle it.”
Irene Declines to Comment
Irene declined to comment when MMI contacted her for her side of the story. Questions put to her on Facebook messenger and WhatsApp have been read, and not responded to. When a member of the MMI Team called her on phone, she refused to answer questions citing concerns about the conversation being recorded without her consent.
“I will not answer questions from any journalist,” Irene told our reporter.
She did not explain her actions, leaving many questions unanswered.
Justice Demands Attention
Ma Pamela’s detention exposes systemic corruption within Cameroon’s justice system.
She faces the grim prospect of spending Christmas in prison. As the State Counsel remains unavailable until after Christmas, it is not clear when she will regain her freedom.
This case further highlights the injustices that vulnerable individuals in Cameroon face and emphasises the urgent need for accountability in the country’s judiciary.
It is particularly interesting as it comes a few months after Cameroonian authorities promised the world to do more to reform the judicial process and reduce such abuses.
Attempts to reach the authorities in Buea for comment have been futile.
