Cameroonian lawyer Ayang Lewis Forchealah filed a lawsuit against President Paul Biya in December 2025, demanding the application of Article 66 of the Cameroonian Constitution relating to the declaration of assets. This action has provoked reactions, notably from Fonka Tomnyuy Mofola, also a lawyer, who raised objections both on the form and substance of the complaint.
Ayang Lewis accuses the Head of State of failing to comply with Article 66, which requires senior officials, including the President, to declare their assets at the start and end of their term. He points out that the 2006 law, which provides for the creation of a commission to monitor these declarations, has never been implemented, and that the implementing decree has never been signed. In addition, Ayang Lewis denounces the failure to convene the Supreme Council of the Judiciary since August 2020, which, he says, hinders the functioning of justice.
In response, Fonka Tomnyuy Mofola disputes the jurisdiction of the court seized, arguing that the Fako High Court is not the place of residence of the president, nor the place where the cause of action arose. He also questions the plaintiff's capacity to sue the President of the Republic instead of the President of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy. On the merits, Fonka believes that the complaint is based on legal considerations rather than concrete facts.
Article 66 of the Cameroonian Constitution of January 18, 1996, stipulates that the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, members of the government, parliamentarians, senior civil servants and managers of public funds are required to declare their assets. This provision aims to combat corruption and the misappropriation of public funds. However, its effective implementation has been the subject of debate and controversy for many years.
The complaint by Ayang Lewis and the criticisms of Fonka Tomnyuy Mofola highlight the challenges linked to the application of Article 66 and the promotion of transparency in the management of public affairs in Cameroon. The case raises important questions about the accountability of leaders and the effectiveness of control mechanisms.
