The Cameroon Penal Code derives from the Cameroon Criminal Procedure Code Act. The Cameroon Penal Code Act and other criminal laws are enacted by the Cameroonian Parliament from time to time.
The latest consolidated version of the code is contained in the Cameroonian Criminal Code described in this article.
See Also: Governors of the Republic of Cameroon.
Background
The Cameroonian Criminal Code has been adapted from different laws in force since its colonial occupation by foreign governments. It also includes the local Common and English laws borrowed from British dependencies.
Cameroon operates under a mixed legal system that combines French civil law and English common law. This dual structure is the result of the country’s colonial history and continues to influence how laws are interpreted and applied today.
Before 2005, criminal procedure was not uniform. The Anglophone regions largely followed common law principles, while the Francophone regions applied civil law rules. This led to inconsistencies in criminal investigations, court processes, and the treatment of accused persons depending on the region.
To address these disparities, Cameroon adopted the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) in 2005. The purpose of the CPC was to establish a single, unified criminal procedure system applicable throughout the entire country, ensuring greater legal certainty, fairness, and consistency in criminal justice administration.
Key Areas Covered
The Criminal Procedure Code regulates police investigations by defining the powers and duties of judicial police officers. It sets clear rules on how investigations should be conducted, including safeguards against abuse of authority.
The CPC also governs arrest and custody procedures, commonly referred to as garde à vue. It outlines the conditions for lawful arrest, time limits for detention, and the rights of individuals held in custody.
In addition, the Code provides a framework for pre-trial procedures, including the roles of prosecutors and examining magistrates. It defines how cases move from investigation to trial and clarifies prosecutorial discretion and judicial oversight.
A central focus of the CPC is the protection of the rights of the accused. These include the presumption of innocence, the right to legal representation, and the right to a fair hearing.
The Criminal Procedure Code further regulates court proceedings before Magistrates’ Courts, High Courts, and Military Courts. It sets out rules on evidence and proof, ensuring that only lawfully obtained and relevant evidence is considered. Finally, the CPC covers appeals and the enforcement of sentences, providing mechanisms for review and execution of criminal judgments.
Read Also: How to study law and become a lawyer in Cameroon.
Scope
It may be noted that the criminal code in Cameroon does apply uniformly to all people in all regions of the country.
Download the Penal Code PDF and Criminal Procedure Code
- Click here to download the up-to-date and complete English version of the Cameroon Penal code.
- To download the Cameroon Criminal Procedure Code, follow this direct link for the free PDF.
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