Professor Aba'a Oyono is claiming three billion CFA francs from the Cameroonian government, specifically the General Directorate of External Research (DGRE), for illegal detention. This unprecedented lawsuit seeks compensation for a deprivation of liberty that the academic considers arbitrary.
The facts date back to a period when Pr Aba'a Oyono was detained at the State Secretariat for Defense (SED). The official reasons for this arrest have never been clearly established, but it occurred in a context of increased surveillance of critical voices in Cameroon. The academic spent several days in intelligence premises before being released without any charges being brought against him.
Illegal detention is defined as a deprivation of liberty outside the legal framework. In Cameroon, the code of criminal procedure strictly governs police custody. Any exceeding of legal deadlines, arrest without valid reason or detention in an unauthorized place may be considered arbitrary. Pr Aba'a Oyono believes his case fits this definition.
The DGRE, the Cameroonian external intelligence service, is at the heart of the accusations. Its methods are regularly criticized by human rights organizations. By directly targeting the DGRE, Pr Aba'a Oyono holds it responsible for his detention.
The sum of three billion CFA francs is considerable in the Cameroonian judicial context. Such an amount, higher than the usual compensation for similar damages, could make an impression and deter the administration from such actions. This could also reflect the assessment of significant moral and professional damage for an academic of his rank.
This complaint raises several legal questions: the legality of the detention, the responsibility of the State and its agents, and the amount of compensation for victims of arbitrary arrests. If Pr Aba'a Oyono wins his case, it could set a precedent and encourage other victims to break the silence.
This case occurs in a context of security tensions in Cameroon, marked by the Anglophone crisis and the fight against Boko Haram. Law enforcement and intelligence services have broad powers, leading to abuses and rare legal recourse. Pr Aba'a Oyono's approach is therefore noteworthy.
The outcome of this claim remains uncertain. Will it lead to a condemnation of the State, or will it remain a complaint without consequences, illustrating the impunity that Cameroonian intelligence services sometimes enjoy?
