Comedian 237 Towncryer Arbitrarily Arrested — Barrister Tamfu Richard Raises Alarm

Comedian and content creator, Tembu Daniel Ebere, popularly known as 237 Towncryer, was arrested this Tuesday evening in what his lawyer, Tamfu Richard, qualifies as an abduction.

A brief statement from the human rights lawyer, who has defended Towncryer in previous lawsuits and police-related cases, says the comedian was abducted in his home in Douala this February 25.

“I’ve just been informed that my client Daniel Tembu aka 237 Towncryer has been abducted from his residence in Douala,” Barrister Tamfu wrote on Facebook.

“This is illegal. You can’t arrest someone without a warrant of arrest except in flagrant delicto offenses not for defamation,” he added without providing further details.

Tamfu’s statement suggests 237 Towncryer was taken by Cameroonian security forces.

In a second update, coming three hours later, Barrister Tamfu said Towncryer was abducted on claims of defamation. But he did not name the accuser.

“I’m working so that he doesn’t sleep in police custody tonight,” the lawyer wrote.

Abusive Arrest

Arresting someone for accusations of defamation, Tamfu Richard said, is abusive. He also suggested that the police failed to follow due procedure and presented no warrant before carrying out the arrest.

Previous reports from human rights organisations and the news media have linked security and defence forces to arbitrary arrests and detention of civilians accused of both simple and grievous crimes.

This is the second time this year 237 Towncryer is being intruded by the police.

On February 2, he informed fans via his 600-follower Facebook page that armed police officers arbitrarily searched his house and intimidated him.

He accused the CEO of ATM Entertainment, a UK-based company he is sueing for reportedly flaunting the terms of a 2019 agreement they signed.

237 Towncryer is among Cameroon’s popular and vocal comedians.

Not only does he do comedy, he has repeatedly used his platform to decry bad governance and underdevelopment in the country, something his peers generally refrain from doing.