On February 11, 2026, during the 60th Youth Day celebrations in Cameroon, Sir Dr. Barrister Nico Halle, a renowned lawyer, anti-corruption expert, and peace crusader, invited on Issues in the News, a flagship program on Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), and discussed the nation’s persistent corruption crisis. His intervention came in the wake of a recent report by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), which revealed a staggering 8,000 corruption cases recorded in 2024 alone.
A Bleak Assessment of Corruption
Opening the discussion, the peace crusader with more than 30 years of experience expressed his respect for Reverend Dr. Dieudonné Masi Gams, president of CONAC, a man he has worked alongside for years at the National Election Observatory (ONEL).
“Reverend Dr. Masi Gams is a man of integrity, a genuine intellectual. I have worked with him and have great admiration for his efforts,” He said.
However, he did not shy away from criticizing the 2024 report, which according to him paints a troubling picture of the nation’s anti-corruption efforts. “The 8,000 cases of corruption identified are concerning, but the real number could be much higher,” the veteran lawyer and venerated corruption expert explained. “We must consider the depth of this issue. If you multiply those cases by four, you are looking at a much larger scale of corruption that is deeply embedded in the system.”
Sir Dr. Barrister Nico Halle’s comparison to the biblical story of Zacchaeus illustrated his point: corruption is so widespread and covert that even the most diligent efforts to fight it are often outpaced by the perpetrators. He believes the situation calls for immediate and decisive action.
Key Barriers to Progress
Reflecting on the broader challenges facing the anti-corruption fight in Cameroon, the refined and no-nonsense statesman identified several critical stumbling blocks. While acknowledging CONAC’s efforts, he emphasized that the body lacks the necessary authority to fully address corruption. “CONAC is a consultative body. It identifies corruption but doesn’t have the power to act directly collecting stolen funds or prosecuting perpetrators,” he noted.
Sir Dr. Barrister Nico Halle believes the institution needs more resources and legal backing to make a real impact. He also highlighted the issue of selectivity in anti-corruption efforts. “The fight has been uneven. We have corrupt individuals at all levels, yet some are left untouched, while others bear the brunt of legal action,” he said.
He further stressed that corruption is a widespread issue, deeply rooted in Cameroon’s society, and removing it will require more than just a few reforms.
Corruption: A Multifaceted Issue
For Nico Halle, corruption is not just about the mismanagement of state funds; it takes many forms, including nepotism, favouritism, and even the abuse of power in daily life. “Corruption isn’t just about money, it’s also about unfairness and a lack of integrity in how we distribute resources and opportunities,” he explained.
He called for a broader, more holistic approach to tackling corruption, one that involves political, moral, and spiritual reform. “We need to address poverty and unemployment because many people turn to corruption out of necessity. At the same time, we need to focus on placing the right people in positions of power,” he argued.
The Church and the Failed Prophetic Mission
Responding to a question from the journalist on whether global churches have failed in their prophetic mission, Sir Dr. Barrister Nico Halle delivered a blunt and deeply critical assessment. “Well, the prophetic mission has missed its path for the most part,” he said. “Most of the clergy and laity, who are supposed to be leading the people and the world to salvation, have been derailed by materialism.”
He pointed to what he described as an unbridled quest for power, authority, and secular relevance, warning that this trend is being exalted by a galloping surge of global moral decadence. “And you know that moral decadence is not good for any nation, and that’s why there is the lameness of our proverbial churches and people who pass for men of God,” he stated.
Drawing attention to contradictions between faith and conduct, he questioned the credibility of religious leadership in the face of widespread societal corruption. “Otherwise, how can one explain the level of graphed embezzlement, bribery and electoral malpractices in the churches, kliptomania and megalomania which is so much there and disheartening?” he asked.
He further lamented the silencing of dissent within religious institutions.
“Go to churches on Sunday and see some occupy front pews and seats, and then between Monday and Saturday follow them and see what they do. Anybody who raises a finger or a voice is called a rebel, and even pastors are punished by being sent to the periphery. This is sad, very sad.”
The Need for Moral and Spiritual Renewal
The veteran lawyer and international peace broker’s approach to combating corruption goes beyond policy and law enforcement. He advocates for what he calls “spiritual rearmament,” urging Cameroonians to renew their moral and spiritual commitment to ethical living.
He pointed out that corruption also manifests in mental, spiritual, and social forms of reality that cannot be addressed through legislation alone.
“We need to shape the moral and spiritual values of our people, especially the youth,” He emphasized.
He believes that a society grounded in strong ethical principles is better equipped to fight corruption and build a prosperous future.
Youth: A Vital Part of the Solution
As the country marked Youth Day, Sir Dr. Barrister Nico Halle turned his focus to Cameroon’s younger generation. He believes that young people have a crucial role to play in the fight against corruption, but they must first undergo moral and spiritual training.
“Many of our youth are already involved in unethical practices such as cybercrimes, bribery, and drugs. If they are to help tackle corruption, they need to be grounded in values that promote integrity and fairness,” he said.
His message was clear: to involve youth in nation-building, according to him, they must be equipped with the right tools education, morality, and spiritual guidance. Without these, he warned, education alone could produce “clever devils” who lack the integrity to contribute to the nation’s development.
Take-Home Message to the Youth
While wishing Cameroonian youths a wonderful Youth Day celebration, Sir Dr. Barrister Nico Halle summarized his message with a clear moral emphasis. He said that the take-home message, while wishing the youths a wonderful celebration, is that all must be glued to the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom.
According to him, when people fear God, there are certain things they cannot do. When the fear of God exists, the huge resources of the nation would be used for the good of the people and not be found in the hands of a few hardly two percent while the rest live in what he described as abject squalor and a very few in arrogant opulence. “For me,” he concluded, “the fear of the Lord is the trick.”
The Importance of the Fear of the Lord
In his closing remarks, Sir Dr. Barrister Nico Halle stressed the importance of a moral foundation in nation-building.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” he said, highlighting the need for Cameroonians to embrace values rooted in faith and morality.
He argued that only when the nation’s leadership and citizens adopt these principles will the country be able to fully utilize its resources for the common good.
A Legacy of Service and Integrity
It is worth recalling that Sir Dr. Barrister Nico Halle is a highly respected figure in Cameroon’s legal and anti-corruption circles. With over 35 years of experience, he is a senior lawyer, human rights advocate, and the founder of Nico Halle & Co. Law Firm. Throughout his career, he has been a vocal proponent of human rights, legal reform, and national dialogue.
As the fight against corruption in Cameroon continues, his call for a combination of legal, spiritual, and moral reforms resonates deeply. His belief that only through collective moral renewal and justice can Cameroon overcome its corruption crisis provides a guiding framework for both current and future generations.
With over 8,000 cases of corruption recorded in just one year, the road ahead is challenging, but he remains hopeful. “The fear of the Lord, and a commitment to moral integrity, is the only way forward,” he concluded.
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