Legal dispute erupts over alleged professional ties in Cameroon

Legal counsel clarifies client’s stance in ongoing professional dispute

A sharp legal exchange has unfolded as legal representatives for Sani Mouhamadou issue a formal rebuttal to allegations made in a recent press release. The document, issued on behalf of their client, categorically denies any association with Maxime Eko Eko Léopold, as referenced in a prior statement circulated online.

Origins of the disagreement

The dispute traces back to a press release dated August 5, 2026, in which Sani Mouhamadou addressed claims about his professional engagements with state institutions in Cameroon. The response from Maxime Eko Eko Léopold’s legal team, released on August 9, 2026, asserted that their client had never reached out to Mouhamadou or solicited his services. Instead, it claimed the opposite: that Mouhamadou had approached Eko Eko Léopold unprompted, failing to substantiate his expertise or credentials. According to the rebuttal, the Direction Générale de la Recherche Extérieure (DGRE) terminated all contact with Mouhamadou after rejecting his proposals.

Mouhamadou’s counterarguments

In a detailed response issued on August 10, 2026, Mouhamadou’s legal representative, Me Mélissa Nyoth, refuted these claims with documented evidence. The response emphasized that Mouhamadou’s original statement was intended to clarify his professional record following the circulation of videos on July 24 and 25, 2026, which he deemed damaging to his reputation. Crucially, Mouhamadou denied ever naming Eko Eko Léopold in the initial communication, attributing the misinformation to a possible misunderstanding.

To substantiate his position, Mouhamadou referenced a documented exchange from February 1, 2020, at 7:09 AM, in which Eko Eko Léopold allegedly messaged him with a request for assistance: « XXX… I urgently need your help …XXX ». Mouhamadou argued that this initial outreach demonstrated the truth of their professional interaction, further bolstered by his certified expertise from the Institut des Hautes Études de Défense Nationale.

Despite initiating informal efforts to resolve the discrepancy, Mouhamadou’s legal team reports that no corrective action has been taken. In light of this, they have issued a formal demand for the immediate retraction of the August 9 statement within 48 hours. Failure to comply, they warn, will result in legal action, as the allegations—if maintained—constitute defamation under Cameroonian law.

The response concludes with a strong assertion of Mouhamadou’s right to defend his professional integrity, reputation, and honor. It underscores the gravity of the accusations and the necessity of rectifying misinformation to preserve legal and ethical standards.

Me Mélissa Nyoth, representing Sani Mouhamadou, is a registered attorney with the Cameroonian Bar Association (Matricule 2007084229).