In a somber announcement, it has been confirmed that Justice Ayah Paul Abine, the former Advocate General of the Supreme Court of Cameroon, has passed away. Justice Ayah Paul Abine died on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, at the Buea Regional Hospital after a prolonged battle with ill health.
A Distinguished Career
Justice Ayah Paul Abine was a prominent figure in Cameroon’s legal and political landscape. Born in 1950 in Ngali, Akwaya Subdivision in Manyu, he began his illustrious career after graduating from the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM) in Yaoundé in 1976. He served as Vice-President of the Court of Appeal in Buea before becoming a member of the National Assembly in 2002.
Political Involvement
Ayah Paul Abine was initially a member of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party. He served as a Member of Parliament for Akwaya in Manyu Division but resigned from the CPDM in 2011, a year before his parliamentary term expired. He went on to found the Popular Action Party (PAP) and contested against President Paul Biya in the 2011 elections.
Advocacy and Imprisonment
Known for his firm criticism of the government, Ayah Paul Abine strongly opposed the 2008 constitutional amendment that scrapped term limits for the President. His outspoken nature and advocacy for human rights and the rule of law led to his arrest in January 2017. He spent over eight months in prison before being released in August 2017.
Legacy
Justice Ayah Paul Abine’s legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to justice and human rights. He was a proponent of a federal system of government as a solution to the Anglophone Crisis and continued to criticize the government’s handling of the crisis until his death. His passing has left a void in the legal and political community, with many mourning the loss of a dedicated and courageous leader
