Mr. Tambe Tiku Dr Ashu Nyenti
A heated debate has erupted between Mr. Tiku Tambe, South West Regional Head of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission and Dr. Theodore Ashu Nyenti, a prominent journalist, over the publication of videos showing police extorting money from citizens.
The controversy began when Dr. Nyenti expressed his opinion on the matter, stating that the publication of such videos was offensive by law, constituting a form of "media trial" that undermines the presumption of innocence.
Mr. Tambe responded by questioning Dr. Nyenti's credibility to speak on human rights issues, given that Nyenti’s PhD thesis focused on labor and corporate law.
Dr Theodore Ashu Nyenti, Cameroonian senior journalist.
Dr. Nyenti has since fired back, defending his expertise in human rights and accusing Mr. Tambe of attempting to discredit him. In a strongly-worded rejoinder, Dr. Nyenti pointed out that his PhD thesis actually focused on the justiciability of economic, social, and cultural rights under Cameroonian law – a branch of human rights.
The debate between the duo has sparked wider discussion on social media, with many Cameroonians weighing in on the issue. While some have supported Mr. Tambe's stance, others have praised Dr. Nyenti for speaking out against what he sees as a violation of the law.
At the heart of the debate is the question of whether the publication of videos showing police extorting money from citizens is a legitimate form of human rights advocacy or a form of "media trial" that undermines the rule of law.
Mr. Tambe has argued that the videos were not captured and circulated by the commission. He suspects the many clients who were infront of the commission's office might have done so. He emphasized that the commission is solely there for the plight of youths in the South West Region and to hold the police accountable for their actions. Dr. Nyenti, on the other hand, has maintained that the publication of such videos is a violation of the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Code.
The debate highlights the complexities and nuances of human rights issues in Cameroon, where the need to protect citizens' rights must be balanced with the need to uphold the rule of law.
Barrister Joseph Fru Awah, Cameroonian Lawyer.
A Balanced Perspective
Barrister Joseph Fru Awah, a respected and renowned Cameroonian lawyer offers a balanced perspective on the issue. According to him, the fundamental issue buried in the difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law is crucial
"Any law that is repugnant to natural justice, common sense, fairness, and equity as measured by the reasonable man's standard is an unjust law," he noted. "We can shout all we want about 'media trials' but the extortion of civilians by the same police force that is supposed to be the symbol of law and order is not only a violation of the fundamental rights of hapless and helpless citizens, but ocular proof of a lawless or failed state."
Barrister Fru Awah suggests that the issue at hand is not just about the publication of videos, but about the broader issue of police brutality and extortion, which undermines the rule of law and citizens' rights.
It remains to be seen how the Cameroon Human Rights Commission will respond to the criticisms leveled against it. One thing is certain, however: the issue is unlikely to fade away anytime soon.
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