Douala Court: Alice Nkom Convicted for Bris de Scellés at REDHAC Cameroun

• Prominent human rights lawyer Me Alice Nkom was found guilty of "bris de scellés" (breaking seals) by the Tribunal de Première Instance de Douala on September 21, 2026.
• She received a one-year suspended prison sentence for five years, a 500,000 FCFA fine, and 62,100 FCFA in court costs, but was exempted from physical detention due to her age.
• Nkom and REDHAC executive director Chantal Maximilienne Ngo Mbe were acquitted of the "rébellion en coaction" charge.
• The conviction arose from Nkom's public removal of seals from REDHAC's Douala offices in December 2024, following the organization's suspension by Minister Paul Atanga Nji for "illicit financing."
• Her defense has 10 days to appeal the court's decision.

This case underscores how challenging state-imposed measures, even if perceived as arbitrary, can lead to criminal charges under the country's penal code.

A court in Douala has found Me Alice Nkom, a distinguished human rights lawyer and activist, guilty of breaking seals, a charge known as "bris de scellés" under Cameroonian law. The verdict was delivered by the Tribunal de Première Instance de Douala on Monday, September 21, 2026, in a case brought by the Public Prosecutor and the State of Cameroon.

The court imposed a one-year prison sentence, which was suspended for a period of five years. This means the prison term would only be activated if Me Nkom commits another offense within that five-year probationary period. Additionally, she was ordered to pay a fine of 500,000 FCFA and court costs amounting to 62,100 FCFA. Notably, due to her age, the court ruled out any physical detention, a measure known as "contrainte par corps."

However, Me Nkom, along with Chantal Maximilienne Ngo Mbe, the executive director of the Réseau des Défenseurs des Droits Humains en Afrique Centrale (REDHAC), were acquitted of the charge of "rébellion en coaction" (rebellion in co-action). The court determined that the elements constituting this particular offense were not present. Me Nkom's legal team has a window of ten days to lodge an appeal against the conviction and sentence.

This legal confrontation stems from a dispute that began in December 2024, when the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, issued an administrative order to suspend REDHAC. The official grounds for this suspension were cited as "illicit financing," leading to the sealing of the organization's offices in Douala.

Me Alice Nkom, a vocal critic of what she perceived as arbitrary administrative actions, publicly challenged this decision. In a direct act of defiance, she personally removed the seals that had been affixed to REDHAC's offices. This action, intended to protest the suspension, subsequently formed the basis for the criminal charge of "bris de scellés" brought against her.

The conviction of Me Alice Nkom for "bris de scellés" highlights the significant legal risks faced by individuals, particularly prominent human rights lawyers, who take direct action against administrative decisions in Cameroon. This case underscores how challenging state-imposed measures, even if perceived as arbitrary, can lead to criminal charges under the country's penal code.

The ruling by the Tribunal de Première Instance de Douala sends a clear message regarding the potential for criminal prosecution when individuals physically interfere with official seals. For legal professionals advising non-governmental organizations or activists in Cameroon, this outcome emphasizes the critical distinction between contesting an administrative decision through legal channels and taking direct, physical action that could be interpreted as a criminal offense like breaking seals. The ongoing legal process, including the potential appeal, will be closely watched for its broader implications on the landscape of human rights advocacy and the rule of law in Cameroon.

This case highlights the legal risks for individuals, even prominent human rights lawyers, who take direct action against administrative decisions in Cameroon. Lawyers advising NGOs or activists should note the potential for criminal charges like 'bris de scellés' (breaking seals) when challenging state-imposed measures, even if the underlying administrative decision is contested.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun