Anglophone Leaders’ Appeal Hearing: Supreme Court Adjourns After Advocate General Recusal

The Supreme Court hearing in Yaounde, Cameroon of 10 prominent Anglophone separatist leaders, known as the "Nera 10," was abruptly adjourned on Thursday, December 18, 2025, just 10 minutes after proceedings began.
The session, presided over by Justice Abomo Marie alongside Justices Moukoury Jean Claude and Ngo Mandeng Pauline, saw the recusal of Advocate General Mindjimba Mindjimba. The Advocate General stepped down citing a conflict of interest, as he had previously presided over the group's unsuccessful appeal at the Centre Regional Court of Appeal in 2019.
Justice Mindjimba Mindjimba’s decision led to the case being pushed to January 15, 2026, to allow time for the appointment of a new Advocate General. Speaking to the press outside the courtroom, lead defense counsel Barrister Paddy Yong described the recusal as "normal" and expressed hope for progress at the next hearing.
The "Nera 10," including Julius Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, were arrested in Nigeria in January 2018 and later transferred to Cameroon. In August 2019, the Yaoundé Military Tribunal sentenced the group to life imprisonment on charges including aiding and abetting terrorism and secession. They were also ordered to pay a fine of approximately $350 million.
The defense team, which includes notable lawyers like Barrister Akere Muna, is challenging the 2019 ruling. Their memorandum of appeal argues that the previous Court o...