A fresh legal dispute has again emerged within the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) as former Executive President and two others face allegations of contempt of court. Plaintiffs have taken the case to the Yaoundé Court of First Instance, arguing that the CBC leadership defied a court order by proceeding with its decentralized general session elections on November 23, 2024.
Over the past year, dismissed CBC members have field multiple lawsuits challenging the 2023 amended CBC Constitution and the decentralized elections held on November 23, 2024. While most cases have been civil, the latest suit, filed before the Yaoundé Court of First Instance, accuses former CBC officials of violating a prior court ruling. The plaintiffs Emi Emmanuel from Bamenda and Albert Luma from Buea, claim the elections violated a November 21, 2024, court ruling that temporarily suspended the process pending a legal review of the 2023 amended CBC Constitution.
They insist that the church officials knowingly disregarded judicial authority and are demanding a two-year prison sentence for the accused which include; former CBC Executive President Rev. Dr. Nditemeh Charlemagne and former CBC chairperson Yosimbom Mkong John, along with financial damages. A surprising aspect of the case is the inclusion of 15-year-old Rinda Kawep Jumbuin, the son of a Yaoundé field pastor, among the accused. His involvement has sparked widespread curiosity, as questions arise about his role in the elections and whether a minor can be legally implicated in such proceedings. During the preliminary hearing on February 13, 2025, which was closed to the public, the defense team, led by Barrister Songkwa Victoria, challenged the accusations.
She argued that “the plaintiffs, having been dismissed from the CBC, have no standing to intervene in internal church affairs.” She further contended that the elections in Yaoundé were suspended as per the court’s directive and described the lawsuit as an attempt to maintain influence within the CBC. The court has imposed a 40,000 CFA francs deposit for the case to proceed. If the plaintiffs fail to pay, the case will be dismissed. The next hearing is set for February 27, 2025, at the Yaoundé Court of First Instance, where both parties are expected to present further arguments. As legal disputes persist, this case adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing leadership crisis within the CBC. The court’s next decision could have significant implications for the future of the religious denomination.
