Cameroon Lawyers Threaten Court Action Over Detained Colleague

Cameroon lawyers, under the auspices of the Cameroon Bar Association, warn that they will take decisive action if authorities do not release their detained colleague, Barrister Sahar Tazo, immediately.

In a press release, Bar Council President Mbah Eric Mbah expressed the association’s outrage over Sahar Tazo’s arrest and detention in Douala, Littoral Region.

“I have just been informed about the remand in custody of our colleague Barrister Sahar TAZO for a matter which apparently is of a civil nature, and for which I was seized over a year ago,” Mbah stated in the release, a copy of which was obtained by MMI.

The case at the center of the controversy is described by the Bar Council as civil, not criminal. According to the Council, Sahar Tazo was remanded after resisting a State Counsel’s order regarding a property dispute.

“Someone intruded into the property of our colleague, but because our colleague would not yield to the whims and caprices of the legal department in Douala, he has been remanded,” the Bar Council revealed.

Court Appearance Scheduled

Barrister Sahar Tazo is scheduled to appear before an Examining Magistrate on Thursday, December 26. If his release is not secured by 7:30 a.m. on that day, the Bar Council has called on all lawyers in Douala to mobilize and appear at the court in protest.

“If this is not done before 7:30 a.m. on the 26th, which is the date scheduled for our colleague to be produced before the Examining Magistrate, all lawyers in Douala shall be called upon to come out for that first appearance, and we shall take it from there,” Mbah declared.

This incident adds to the growing tension between Cameroonian lawyers and the administration. Lawyers have frequently reported harassment and brutality while performing their professional duties.

Notably, Barrister Sahar Tazo’s detention comes just weeks after Barrister Tamfu Richard was allegedly assaulted by gendarmes while advocating for a client. Tamfu is now facing charges at the Douala Military Tribunal, including violence against civil servants, destruction of military equipment, obstruction of justice, rebellion, and insults. His hearing is scheduled for January 2025.

The Cameroon Bar Association has made it clear that such treatment of lawyers is unacceptable, and they remain united in their resolve to defend their colleagues and uphold the rule of law.

Mimi Mefo Info