Judicial Delays, Alternative Sentences : Justice Minister Presents Explanations To MPs

The Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso, has given explanations for judicial delays and the overcrowding of prisons in Cameroon to Members of the National Assembly. This was during a plenary sitting chaired by House Speaker, Cavaye Yeguie Djribil on June 24, 2022, dedicated to oral questions to members of government. In essence, the Minister was replying to two questions asked by Hon. Saya Kaigama, who sought to know why the text to lay down conditions for the enforcement of alternative sentences to reduce overcrowding in prions has been amended, and judicial delays still persists in courts. 
In his response, the Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals said pursuant to Section 26(1) of the Penal Code, alternative sentences may be passed only for offences punishable with imprisonment of less than two years or with fine only. “Actually, alternative sentences do not apply to sanctions ordered by Judges for offences which, because of mitigating circumstances or diminished responsibility, are punishable with an imprisonment sentence of less than two years. Moreover, sentences to pay fines and court costs which are passed in these cases shall be immediately enforceable after judgments are rendered. Alternative sentences do not apply, as they are tantamount to an imprisonment order issued right away by the trial court,” he stated. The Minister of State added that there are only 78 offences punishable with alternative sentences out of a total of about 260 offences provided for in the Penal Code. “The 10 Procurers General at the Courts of Appeal of Cameroon were asked to make suggestions that could be used as alternate sentences, based on the sociological background peculiar to each of the 10 regions, especially as community service is involved,” Minister Laurent Esso added. Another major issue, he further stated, is the supervision of persons...