Ayah Paul Abine
Cameroonian lawyer Tamfu Richard has announced his intention to take legal action against the Cameroonian government for freezing the bank account of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Ayah Paul Abine.
Tamfu made this declaration on Sunday, March 31, following a meeting with Ayah Paul Abine, who had formerly served as a justice and later was admitted to the Cameroon Bar, in Buea.
According to Barrister Tamfu, Ayah Paul was forcefully taken into custody on January 21, 2017, during his tenure as a justice at the Supreme Court. He spent 223 days in detention without ever being formally charged.
It is widely believed that Ayah’s detention stemmed from his outspoken criticism of the mistreatment of Anglophone Cameroonians during the crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions.
In addition to freezing his bank account, the government has also withheld Ayah’s pension since his forced retirement in 2017.
Barrister Tamfu revealed that Ayah Paul’s detention resulted in severe health issues, including a cardiac problem near his left eye and paralysis from his waist down, rendering him reliant on a wheelchair.
“His account has been unjustly frozen, depriving him of access to his pension and necessary medical care,” remarked Richard.
As a human rights advocate, Richard is determined to challenge this decision through legal avenues. “I took an oath as a lawyer to speak for the voiceless and defend the vulnerable,” he emphasized.
Richard’s decision to pursue legal action was prompted by Ayah Paul’s public plea on Equinox TV regarding the freezing of his account at BICEC.
“After verifying the authenticity of the situation and witnessing the health challenges Ayah Paul is facing, I am compelled to take up his case and pursue justice through the highest courts,” stated Richard.
Despite Ayah Paul’s submission of all required documents, he has yet to receive any of his retirement benefits.
Ayah Paul’s career has been varied, including roles as an opposition politician in the People’s Action Party, a Member of Parliament for Akwaya, and a justice on the Supreme Court. Following his forced retirement by the judicial council, he was subsequently admitted to the Cameroon Bar.
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