For no good reason, the ambassador of Cameroon in France, Magnus Ekoumou and his wife Claire Ekoumou unjustly and arbitrarily imprisoned a certain Derogy Ndewa, a naturalised American Cameroonian at Kondengui prison in Yaoundรฉ.
This is the reason why the US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee wrote to the Minister of External Relations of Cameroon (MINREX) to notify him that if Derogy Ndewa is not released in a short time, Cameroon will undergo sanctions because of the ambassador Magnus Ekoumou and his wife.
Note that this case is linked to a lease story. Indeed, Derogy Ndewa and his American wife Dr Amber Murrey-FEWA were abused after paying several months of rent to integrate the house of the ambassador located in Yaoundรฉ. Despite the payment of the amount requested this young person has never entered this house. Once he expressed his being fed up, Derogy Ndewa was detained in Kondengui prison by Magnus Ekoumou who used his relations alleging that the detainee has defamed it.
Read the correspondence to the Minister of External Relations:
“Your Excellence:
I am deeply concerned about the case of two American citizens in Cameroon:
AMBER Murrey-FEWA, Fulbright scholarship, and her husband, Derogy NDEWA. I closely followed their situation and I am alarmed by credible reports indicating that politically motivated legal actions have been undertaken against them concerning a housing conflict involving ambassador Andrรฉ Magnus Ekoumou and his wife, Claire Ekoumou.
Iโm particularly concerned about the pre -trial detention of Mr. Ndewa since March 12, 2025, when the first conclusions of the investigation showed no foundation for the charges of cyberdiffamation against him or his wife. His detention seems illegal and Dr. Murrey is also likely to be arrested. The circumstances suggest serious violations of Cameroonian law and an abuse of diplomatic influence on the part of a senior Cameroonian official.
Dr. Murrey, who has close family ties with Idaho, and Mr. Ndewa raise three young children with them in Cameroon. The security and well-being of this American family are essential for the United States.
Consequently, I respectfully exhort the government of Cameroon to:
- Authorize immediate consular access to Mr. Ndewa by the American Embassy
- Ensure that Dr. Murrey and Mr. Ndewa receive fair legal treatment under Cameroonian law; And
- Allow the family to leave Cameroon safely, without hindrance and immediately, once this case is resolved.
Although I understand that legal and civil disputes arise, the treatment of this case raises serious concerns about compliance with procedures and the impartiality of justice. I urgently ask the Cameroonian government to respond quickly and completely to these concerns. I also know that Ambassador Ekoumou would have sent several emissaries to Dr Murrey and Mr. Ndewa to encourage them to make public statements. However, their legal team has
Never received an offer and should go through the normal legal pathways of Cameroonian law.
At this point, the couple has no guarantee that an action would lead to the release
of Mr. Ndewa, the resolution of the legal case or their departure from Cameroon safely. Dr. Murrey and Mr. Ndewa are very motivated to solve this problem, but this must include firm guarantees that there will be no other proceedings and must be formally negotiated by the legal team of each party.
The United States appreciates its long-standing relations with theCameroon; However, the detention of Mr. Ndewa and the threat of new action against Mr. Murrey may undermine these relationships. I hope a rapid resolution that reaffirms our mutual respect for the rule of law and diplomatic cooperation.
Please accept, Mr. President, the expression of my distinguished greetings.”
[With reports]