Five charges brought against the human rights Lawyer, sparking tensions at SED and the Bar
In what has been seen as a clear case of a miscarriage of justice, Me Richard Tamfu has been branded aggressor in the case of torture pitting him against four gendarmes in Douala.
This is the major outcome of the investigation ordered by the Secretary of State for Defense, Galax Etoga following a video that went viral on social media on 27 November showing gendarmes manhandling the lawyer in the back of a pick-up truck in Douala.
Following an investigation conducted by the Littoral Gendarmerie Legion, five charges have been brought against him, including violence against officials, rebellion, destruction of military property, obstruction of justice, and insults towards the gendarmes who had mistreated him.
The case, according to media reports has been transferred to the Douala Military Tribunal.
According to the conclusions of the investigation, made public by the Secretary of State for Defense, Galax Etoga, both the gendarmes and the lawyer are accused. The four gendarmes involved, MedjoEko Célestin Phabrice, Ntah Malvin Tiku, Bouen Kiyaki Baudrillard Lanfant, and Ebanga Paul, are accused of abuse of office, minor injuries, and violation of orders.
The prosecution of Me Tamfu has angered the lawyers.
Me Tamfu, while rejecting these accusations, expressed his indignation at what he calls a “biased justice.” “This investigation was not impartial. It was conducted by the Littoral Gendarmerie Legion, from which these gendarmes come. Independent investigators were needed,” he said. He also thanked the person who made the viral video, which he believes was essential in proving his innocence: “Without this video, I would probably be in prison right now.”
In the legal profession, the situation is seen as an affront to the integrity of lawyers. Me Bernard Fonju Fuelancha did not hide his frustration, stating that “the legal profession is dying in Cameroon.” This opinion is shared by Me Fabien Kengne, who calls for a strong reaction from the bar in the face of what he calls a “mockery” of lawyers.
For his part, the Bar President, Me Mbah Eric Mbah, is trying to calm things down while asserting that the case is not one-sided. “The gendarmes are also implicated. We will follow the case administratively. There is no reason for Me Tamfu to be tried in the Military Tribunal,” he said. He also announced that the bar would conduct its own investigation to shed light on this incident.
The investigation report has been forwarded to the competent authorities, including the Minister of Defense and the Secretary of State for Defense.
It was probably based on this that defence minister, Joseph Beti Assomo, 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.
