Shanda Tonme: Dénonce Torture Policiers Akak Après Détention Arbitraire

• Shanda Tonme, head of COMICODI and MPDR, denounced police officers from Akak station for alleged torture and arbitrary detention.
• The victim, mechanic Garikohappolinus Andon, was reportedly beaten, tortured, and extorted for 100,000 FCFA on October 29, 2026.
• Andon was arrested without cause, called an "ambazonien," and had money seized directly from him for his release.
• Tonme's letter to the Director General of National Security on November 3, 2026, requested an urgent investigation and appropriate sanctions.
• The alleged actions are classified as "grave crimes" under international conventions.

The alleged actions, encompassing arbitrary detention, torture, cruelty, humiliation, and extortion, are characterized as grave crimes under the framework of international conventions.

Shanda Tonme, serving as "Le Médiateur Universel" and leading both the Independent Commission Against Corruption and Discrimination (COMICODI) and the Popular Movement for Dialogue and Reconciliation (MPDR), has formally denounced severe abuses allegedly committed by police officers. In a letter addressed to the Director General of National Security (DGSN), Tonme detailed accusations of arbitrary detention, torture, cruelty, humiliation, and extortion. These grave charges stem from an incident involving Garikohappolinus Andon, a young mechanic.

The denunciation, dated November 3, 2026, was prompted by a visit from Andon's family seeking assistance and attention regarding the alleged crimes. The family presented their case to Tonme, highlighting the profound impact of the police actions on the mechanic. This formal complaint underscores a serious concern about the conduct of law enforcement personnel at the Akak police station.

The incident at the heart of the denunciation occurred on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Garikohappolinus Andon, a mechanic originally from Cameroon's North-West region, resides and operates his workshop in Akak, Yaoundé, where he constructs small machines. According to the complaint, he was arrested without any stated reason, subjected to a brutal beating, tortured, and held in detention, all without legal justification.

During his ordeal, Andon was reportedly labeled an "ambazonien," a term often used in connection with separatist movements. Shanda Tonme stated that "unbearable images" corroborate the severity of the treatment, indicating practices that are entirely unacceptable for a police force. Following the physical abuse and arbitrary detention, the officers at the Akak police station allegedly demanded a payment of 100,000 FCFA for his release. They then directly seized this amount from the 150,000 FCFA Andon was carrying at the time of his arrest.

The actions described in Shanda Tonme's letter are not merely disciplinary infractions but are characterized as "grave crimes" under the definitions and qualifications of international conventions. This classification emphasizes the severe breach of human rights and legal standards that such conduct represents. The involvement of COMICODI, an independent commission focused on combating corruption and discrimination, highlights the systemic issues potentially at play within law enforcement.

The allegations of arbitrary detention, torture, and extortion directly contravene fundamental human rights principles enshrined in numerous international treaties to which Cameroon is a signatory. The specific accusation of being an "ambazonien" during the abuse also raises concerns about politically motivated targeting and the potential for abuse of power under the guise of national security.

In light of these serious allegations, Shanda Tonme has urgently requested the Director General of National Security to initiate a thorough investigation. The letter explicitly calls for an "enquête d’usage" (standard inquiry) and the imposition of "sanctions appropriées" (appropriate sanctions) against the police officers responsible. This appeal seeks to ensure accountability for the alleged abuses and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The demand for an urgent and comprehensive inquiry underscores the critical need for transparency and justice within the Cameroonian police force. Such incidents, if proven true, not only undermine public trust in law enforcement but also tarnish the country's human rights record. The intervention by a prominent civil society figure like Shanda Tonme, addressing the highest police authority, signals the gravity of the situation and the imperative for immediate official response.

This incident highlights the ongoing risk of severe human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, torture, and extortion, by law enforcement in Cameroon. Lawyers should be prepared to advise clients on their rights during police interactions, pursue legal remedies for victims of such abuses, and leverage reports from civil society organizations like COMICODI in advocacy or litigation against state actors.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun.