Cameroon Bar Launches Construction of Headquarters

The Cameroon Bar Association has laid the foundation for the construction of its new headquarters in Yaounde at the cost of FCFA 6.2 billion.

Christened the “Lawyer’s House,” the edifice will be constructed at Mfandena-Omnisport, next to Mansel Hotel in Yaoundé

Several lawyers attended the launching of the construction in Yaounde on December 17, responding to an earlier call from Bar Council president, Mbah Eric Mbah.

According to the Cameroon Bar President, the project “represents a significant milestone in the history of our Bar, 50 years after its creation.”

The project, upon completion, will cost the sum of FCFA 6.2 billion, according to Jeune Afrique.

Lawyers Criticize Exorbitant Cost

However, some members of the Cameroon Bar Association have criticized the cost of the project, citing lack of funds.

Among them is the current Bar Treasurer Barrister Claude Assira.

She recently resigned from the post after describing the project as exorbitant.

He accused the Bar president of their internal laws on the eve of elections.

“I find this amount out of proportion with our financial capacities,” Barrister Assira said.

He also questioned the legitimacy of the Bar Council executive to carry out such an exercise, given that it has exceeded the legal duration of its mandate.

MMI also gathered that the Bar Council has disbursed FCFA 400 million for the start of the building.

But this has not gone down well with some advocates.

Critics say launching such a project at the end of the mandate of the current Bar executive is inappropriate.

Cameroon Bar Elections Postponed

Elections into the Cameroon Bar Association were supposed to hd this year but saw a postponement to next year.

A lawyer who spoke to MMI on the condition of anonymity said “the elections have been postponed indefinitely for lack of funds”.

Barrister Mbah Eric Mbah whose mandate has ended is reportedly seeking a second term.

He has faced criticism for postponing the elections.

“How do you talk of lack of funds to organize elections but you just disbursed 400 million for the building project,” the lawyer questioned.

The late Bar President, Sama Francis Asana, initiated the project to construct a Bar headquarters and acquired a piece of land for that purpose.

He did not oversee the project’s kickoff after failing to secure a second mandate in 2015.

Successive Bar Council Presidents advanced the project at a snail pace until now.