When the Secretary of State for Defense (SED), Galax Etoga, hurriedly accepted to open investigations on the assault by gendarmes of Lawyer Richard Tamfu in Douala while he was defending his client, this was greeted as being done in good faith. But many were of the opinion that the first thing to do was to arrest the gendarmes implicated. This latter group has been vindicated in its apprehensions as the report on the matter has instead indicted the courageous human rights lawyer, turning him from victim to aggressor.
According to the results of this investigation, the lawyer is accused of violence against officials, rebellion, destruction of military property, obstruction of justice, and insults towards the four gendarmes who assaulted him.
Joseph Beti Assomo, Minister of Defence, took to the defence of the gendarmes, while appearing before the Finance and Budget Committee on December 3.
The minister, while defending his ministry’s 2025 budget, confirmed an investigation had been launched into the incident but emphasized his condemnation of “insults and incivility by citizens against gendarmes and military personnel,” stressing their right to self-defense if attacked.
Reacting to the report, Tamfu has criticized the partiality of the investigation conducted into his assault by gendarmes in Douala. The PCRN activist considers the investigation to be biased.
“This investigation was not impartial. I am not surprised because the investigation was conducted by the Littoral Gendarmerie Legion, from which these gendarmes originate. The Gendarmerie Legion is therefore judge and party. Independent investigators should have been appointed to handle this case. This is what should be done”, he stated.
Lawyer Richard Tamfu was assaulted by gendarmes while he was contesting the arbitrary arrest of his client without a warrant on November 27 in Douala. The video of the assault, which went viral on social media, sparked a wave of indignation and anger among the public.
Facing public pressure, the Secretary of State for Defense (SED), Galax Etoga, ordered the opening of an investigation to determine responsibility.
