Why Is Sally Ndape Still in Jail? Questions Mount Over Repeated Administrative Detention Orders After Bail

Human rights defender Sally Ndape remains in Buea Central Prison despite being granted bail and reportedly fulfilling all the conditions imposed by the court, MMI News has learned.

Ndape has now spent nearly two months in detention over a case that began with allegations including defamation and other online offences. Her continued imprisonment is now raising serious legal questions following information that Fako Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, Viang Mekala, has repeatedly renewed an administrative detention order against her.

From defamation allegations to continued imprisonment

Ndape was initially detained on April 30, 2026, after several complaints were filed against her, including accusations of defamation and other alleged online offences. She was subsequently released.

She was detained again in June and transferred to Buea Central Prison. Her case came before the court on June 12, and the court later granted her bail.

MMI News understands that Ndape fulfilled the bail conditions and should consequently have been released. However, as preparations were being made for her release, an administrative detention order reportedly issued by the Fako SDO kept her behind bars.

Sources familiar with the case say the first administrative detention period expired and was renewed. That renewal also expired, but another order—described by sources as a third successive renewal—was reportedly issued and is expected to remain in force until next month.

MMI News has not seen a physical copy of any of the reported administrative detention orders. Sources close to the case also say no such document has been made available to demonstrate the precise legal grounds upon which Ndape remains imprisoned.

What does Cameroonian law permit?

Section 2 of Law No. 90/054 of December 19, 1990, relating to the maintenance of public order, permits administrative authorities to order detention for 15 days, renewable, but specifically “within the framework of the fight against serious banditry.”

This provision does not grant an SDO unlimited power to detain anyone considered troublesome or critical of public institutions. Administrative detention under the law is tied to a narrowly defined public-security purpose: the fight against serious banditry and the preservation or restoration of public order.

Circular No. 02306/CAB/VPM-AT of November 13, 1997, further clarified the application of this power. According to the Cameroonian government’s own explanation to the United Nations Committee Against Torture, a prefect—known as an SDO in English-speaking Cameroon—may order a 15-day period of administrative detention and renew it only once.

This means an SDO’s own authority should ordinarily cover no more than 30 days: the initial 15 days and one renewal of another 15 days. Cameroon’s submission to the UN also states that administrative detention orders must satisfy legal requirements in both form and substance and remain subject to administrative and judicial review.

If the information obtained by MMI News is accurate, the reported third successive renewal raises the question of whether the Fako SDO has exceeded the limits placed on his administrative authority.

Can defamation justify administrative detention?

MMI News has learned that authorities have also accused Ndape of using social media to educate people that bail is free—a statement they allegedly interpreted as defamatory of the forces of law and order.

MMI News has not seen any formal charge or detention order based on that allegation.

Even if a complaint for defamation exists, defamation is not the same as serious banditry. This raises a fundamental question: how can a power created specifically to fight serious banditry be used to continue detaining someone whose case originated from alleged defamatory statements and online publications?

If the authorities believe Ndape committed a criminal offence, they are entitled to prosecute her before a competent court. But once that court grants bail and the conditions are met, can an administrative authority repeatedly issue detention orders to prevent the court’s decision from taking effect?

Constitution prohibits detention outside the law

Cameroon’s Constitution states that no person may be prosecuted, arrested or detained except in the cases and according to the procedures prescribed by law.

The Criminal Procedure Code also provides a direct remedy. Under Section 584, the High Court has jurisdiction to hear applications for immediate release where an arrest or detention is unlawful or where the required legal procedures have not been followed.

Section 584(2) expressly extends this remedy to administrative detention. The application may be filed by the detained person or by anybody acting on their behalf. If the detention is found to be unlawful, the court may order the detainee’s immediate release. Read Cameroon’s Criminal Procedure Code

Authorities must explain the legal basis

Ndape’s continued imprisonment now demands clear answers.

Was a written administrative detention order issued? If so, what conduct was cited to justify it under a law intended to combat serious banditry? How many times has it been renewed, and by which legally competent authority? Most importantly, why is Ndape still in prison after a court granted her bail and she reportedly met all the conditions?

Without a valid detention document and a clear legal basis, her continued imprisonment risks becoming arbitrary detention disguised as an administrative measure.

The Fako SDO and the authorities responsible for Buea Central Prison must clarify the legal instrument under which Sally Ndape remains detained—or ensure that the court’s decision is respected.

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