Renowned human rights advocate Barrister Agbor Balla, Founder and President of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), has issued a scathing statement condemning the prolonged failure of Cameroon’s Higher Judicial Council (HJC) to convene. The legal mind and civic rights advocate described it as a “grave institutional lapse” that threatens judicial independence, the rule of law, and public confidence in the justice system.
In a statement released Monday, January 19, 2026, Barrister Agbor Balla noted that the Higher Judicial Council, a constitutionally mandated body responsible for overseeing the careers, discipline, appointments, and ethical regulation of magistrates has not met for six consecutive years. According to him, this unprecedented inactivity has paralyzed the justice sector and created systemic dysfunction within Cameroonian courts.
“Cameroon cannot claim to uphold the rule of law while allowing one of the pillars of judicial governance to remain inactive for six years,” Balla said.
Magistrates Trained but Unable to Serve
One of the most alarming consequences highlighted in the statement is the failure to formally integrate magistrates who graduated from the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM) over the past six years. Without integration by the Higher Judicial Council, Agbor Balla says these graduates are unable to take the judicial oath and are legally barred from handling cases or examining case files.
Legal analysts say this situation is unprecedented in Cameroon’s judicial history. Barrister Agbor Balla warned that while nearly 300 trained young magistrates remain idle, courts across the country are facing an acute shortage of judicial officers.
Overburdened Courts, Delayed Justice
The shortage of magistrates has resulted in overcrowded court dockets, excessive case backlogs, prolonged pretrial detention, and widespread delays in the administration of justice. According to Agbor Balla, citizens are increasingly denied timely access to judicial remedies, particularly in regions already affected by insecurity and administrative challenges.
“Justice cannot function where there are insufficient judicial officers to hear cases,” he stated, adding that the situation is “irrational and detrimental” to effective justice delivery.
He also warned that young magistrates who remain professionally idle for years will require extensive retraining before they can serve effectively, further straining the system when integration eventually occurs.
Questionable Appointments and Frozen Discipline
Beyond integration, the human rights and civic advocate criticized the broader institutional paralysis caused by the Council’s inactivity. Disciplinary procedures are stalled, promotions are frozen, and allegations of misconduct cannot be addressed through proper constitutional channels.
He raised concerns over what he described as legally questionable appointments, including the placement of judges in certain administrative courts without the opinion of the Higher Judicial Council, a move he says violates the Council’s exclusive constitutional prerogatives.
“Honest magistrates are demoralized, while corruption and impunity thrive in the absence of oversight,” Balla warned.
Retired Magistrates Still in Office
Another major concern outlined in the statement is the continued service of magistrates who reached retirement age more than five years ago. According to Agbor Balla, approximately 150 magistrates are due for retirement but remain in active service without any formal extension of tenure.
The legality of judicial acts performed under such circumstances, he noted, is increasingly being questioned, further undermining confidence in the justice system.
“This situation is manifestly unjust and reflects an entrenched culture of gerontocracy within the justice system,” he said.
Threat to Democracy and Rule of Law
Agbor Balla concluded by warning that the silence surrounding the inactivity of the Higher Judicial Council signals a dangerous erosion of institutional governance. He argued that the principle of separation of powers is rendered meaningless when the judiciary’s own supervisory body remains non-functional for over half a decade.
For ordinary citizens, he said, the consequences are stark: delayed justice, compromised judicial efficiency, and declining trust in the courts.
Call for Urgent Action
The human rights advocate called for the immediate convening of the Higher Judicial Council to regularize the integration of magistrates, address staffing shortages, restore accountability, and safeguard the independence and integrity of the judiciary. “A weakened judiciary inevitably weakens democracy,” Balla said. “The time to act is now.”
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