The Mfoundi High Court in Yaounde has sentenced Dagobert Nwafo to death by firing squad for the murder of baby Mathis, bringing a year-long Judicial process to its standstill.
After months of legal wrangling and multiple adjustments, the court on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, pronounced its judgement, convicting Nwafo and ordering him to pay 500 million FCFA in damages to the victim’s family, alongside an additional 25 million FCFA to civil Society.
The case dates back to May 17, 2025, when the suspect was first taken into custody and transferred to Kondengui central Prison in Yaounde. Within weeks, he was formally placed in pre-trial detention for six months as investigators prepared for trial proceedings.
Court hearing officially opened on the 10th of December 2025, where the accused initially admitted guilt, however, inconsistencies in his testimony soon raised doubts among the judges, promoting them to treat his plea as unreliable and adjourn the matter.
When proceedings resumed in January 2026, key witnesses, including the child’s father, gave testimony. Nwafo recanted his earlier confession, pleaded not guilty, and broke down while addressing the court . Lawyers representing the victim’s family pushed for the maximum penalty, while the defense sought more time to prepare, leading to yet another postponement.
Subsequent hearings were plagued by delays. A scheduled session in early February lasted barely a minute due to the absence of a judge, forcing the panel to defer the matter once again. By March 11, the trial started again. Defense attorneys mounted an argument, pointing to what they described as gaps in the prosecution’s case. They questioned the reliability of forensic evidence, including fingerprints and blood traces and introduced the possibility of another suspect allegedly linked to the weapon used in the crime.
Despite these submissions, the court reserved it’s decision and fixed March 18 for final judgement. After several hours of anticipation, the ruling was finally handed down.
Reacting to the judgement, Attorney Magloire Piendjou, counsel for the Victim’s family, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that justice has prevailed. He also welcomed the financial compensation awarded, describing it as recognition of the immense loss suffered by the family.
