Gilbert Tsimi Evouna dragged to court for the demolition of a house

The Administrative Court has finally looked into the case between Madam Honorine Magamgo at the Yaoundé City Council headed by Gilbert Tsimi Evouna, the 'almighty government delegate', since 2009.

According to the Kalara newspaper, on January 2, 2008, Madam Magamgo acquired a plot of 1125 m2 at Ngoulemakong, a suburb of Yaoundé. In order to obtain a land title she filed an application the next day. Given the lengthy procedure, she began the construction of her villa. At the same time, she presented a request to obtain a permit from the 5th district of Yaoundé community. She got it on February 20, 2008.

Against all odds, a report signed by the Yaoundé City Council (YCC) was sent to her on December 3, 2008. It was notice to vacate the place. On the document, she was accused of building on a land in the process of registration. Therefore, without being in possession of or having a title to land or a building permit.

"I could not have the land title immediately. The registration of the land was in progress. I knew that the authorization to implement the town hall may also enable me to start work,” said Madam Magamgo.

The agents of YCC reacted by destroying the villa valued at FCFA 60 million. Thus Madam Magamgo and her two children found themselves in the street. She presented a contentious appeal to the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court on April 20, 2009. It was then transferred to the Administrative Court of Appeal which settled the case on August 11, 2015, the newspaper reported.

The court found Magamgo Honorine appeal admissible. "It justified the minutes of the formal notice of September 3, 2008 of the Urban Community of Yaoundé is therefore canceled," the court has decided.

The YCC must also pay costs estimated at FCFA 17,600. The complainant will now have to organize to obtain compensation for the demolition of her house, revealed the newspaper.