Gendarmerie Summons Alice Nkom Over Terrorism Accusations

The national gendarmerie has summoned human rights defender, Barrister Alice Nkom, to appear at its judicial investigation unit in Yaoundé on January 14, to answer for terrorism-related accusations.

This follows a judicial convocation which the director of the judicial investigation unit of the national gendarmerie, Lt Colonel Bilao Dieudonne, issued.

Barrister Nkom is also expected to appear at the office of the Senior Divisional Officer for Wouri in the Littoral Region on January 10.

In December 2024, a little-known civil society group known as Observatoir du Développement Sociétal (ODS) filed a complaint against Alice Nkom at a Yaounde court, accusing her of endangering state security.

The obscure NGO also accused her of financing terrorism and armed groups in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.

Acting on the ODS’ complaint, the national gendarmerie opened investigations into the allegations, according to a correspondence dated December 31, a copy of which MMI obtained.

“In execution of the terms of the correspondence in reference, following the denunciation of Observatoir Sociétal Développement (ODS) against Madam Nko Alice and associates for attempted attack on state security, financing of terrorism and others, I have the honor to ask you to kindly report to the Central Judicial investigation unit of the National Gendarmerie on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 10 a.m. for investigation purposes,” the letter convoking Alice Nkom reads.

Critics have described the accusations as baseless, given the recent clash between Alice Nkom and the administration on the suspension and banning of RHEDAC, an NGO where Alice Nkom is the board chair.

Lawyer Offers Alice Nkom Support

Some lawyers, including human rights advocate Tamfu Richard, have declared support for Alice Nkom.

“We will not accept any form of intimidation or provocation by who so ever. Cameroon belongs to us all and I believe in a State of Law where the Rule of Law prevails,” Barrister Tamfu said.

“He who alleges a fact must be ready to prove it in law. I will be present at the SCRJ-SED to legally assist and defend my mentor, mother and vey senior colleague Barrister Alice Nkom on Tuesday January 14th 2025 at 10 AM.”

Alice Nkom has in the past resisted several administrative summons from the Senior Divisional Officer for Wouri.

This was after she unsealed the office RHEDAC in Douala. The NGO was among five civil society organisations that the government suspended and banned in October for alleged illicit financial deals.

Barrister Alice Nkom has continued to argue that the ban on REDHAC was illegal. After administrative authorities sealed the organisation’s office, she ripped off the seal, terming it anti-consritutional.