Tapang Drags Pro-Biya Lawyer Nsahlai to U.S. Court in Heated Legal Showdown

Barrister Emmanuel Nsahlai, a Los Angeles-based attorney, has been sued by Dr. Tapang Ivo, a U.S.-based Cameroonian academic and activist, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The lawsuit alleges that Nsahlai engaged in false and defamatory accusations, claiming that Dr. Tapang was involved in terrorist financing and immigration fraud.

Lawsuit Seeks Damages for Reputation Harm

According to the lawsuit, Nsahlai deliberately defamed Dr. Tapang in a January 2025 letter that was sent to multiple media outlets and government agencies in the U.S. The letter reportedly falsely accused Tapang of being involved in acts of terrorism and linked him to Cameroonian separatist movements.

Dr. Tapang, who holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of California, is seeking at least $100,000 (approximately 60 million FCFA) in damages. His legal team is also asking the court to impose punitive damages and issue an injunction preventing Nsahlai from making further false statements about him.

“This case is about protecting my name, my profession, and my future from baseless and reckless accusations,” Tapang said in a statement.
“I have worked hard to build my reputation, and I refuse to let defamatory lies destroy what I have accomplished.”

Nsahlai’s Broader Legal Actions Against Separatists

While Nsahlai faces legal troubles of his own, he has also been actively pursuing legal action against Ambazonian separatists.

On February 18, 2024, Nsahlai, through NSAHLAI LAW FIRM, filed a complaint against 16 separatist activists, seeking investigation and prosecution for allegedly orchestrating, funding, and directing a campaign of violence against pro-government civilians in Cameroon.

Among those accused are some of the most prominent voices in the Ambazonian movement, including:

• Tapang Ivo Tanku, a U.S.-based activist and spokesperson for the Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF)
• Mark Bareta, a Belgium-based activist and media personality
• Dr. Cho Ayaba, leader of the Ambazonia Governing Council

Nsahlai’s legal action alleges that these individuals have provided material and financial support to separatist militias involved in the armed conflict against the Cameroonian government.

The accused activists have dismissed the allegations, denouncing Nsahlai as a “quack lawyer” and an agent of the Cameroonian regime.

Separatist Leaders Respond

The activists named in the complaint have reacted sharply, reinforcing their commitment to the Ambazonian struggle and vowing to continue supporting the armed resistance against Cameroon’s military.

Tapang Ivo, who was previously sued by Nsahlai in 2020 for allegedly inciting terrorism, mocked Nsahlai’s latest legal challenge, writing on Facebook:

“Apparently, quack lawyer NSAHLAI Emmanuel has learned a bitter lesson never to sue me or call me a terrorist. He is now running away from me. He now understands that I am a Freedom Fighter, Freethinker, Human Rights advocate.”

Mark Bareta, another separatist leader named in the complaint, also issued a statement:

“I recently came across a notice from a self-proclaimed ‘charge and bail’ lawyer named Emmanuel Nsahlai. This lawyer has sent a notice to the International Criminal Court against me and others. He is clearly seeking new sponsors from Cameroon due to financial difficulties.”
“Let me be clear: I will never apologize for fighting for Ambazonian liberation. We will continue to support and fund the rights of Ambazonians to defend themselves. And this means picking up arms and continuing to sustain the supply of those arms to our self-defense forces.”

Dr. Cho Ayaba, the leader of the Ambazonia Governing Council, was even more direct in his rejection of Nsahlai’s lawsuit:

“Someone should tell Nsahlai that help is not coming. The reason I am making this response is to help my people ignore the desperation of a conman turned into an international legal joke.”
“You will have to fight and defeat Ambazonia on the battlefield. No courts or international political organ will help Cameroon reacquire our sovereignty. We are the gun generation, and we take no prisoners.”

Legal and Political Ramifications

The lawsuit against Nsahlai, alongside his legal actions against Ambazonian separatists, comes amid an increasingly complex legal battle involving Cameroonian actors on U.S. soil.

Legal analysts note that Nsahlai’s complaints against Ambazonian activists align with the Cameroonian government’s efforts to crack down on separatist movements abroad. However, critics argue that his litigation strategy has failed to yield meaningful legal victories.

A previous case in 2021 resulted in a California federal judge ruling against Nsahlai, stating that he had engaged in “subjective bad faith” litigation and ordering him to pay legal fees.

Nsahlai Rejects Allegations, Vows to Continue Legal Battles

In response to the latest lawsuit against him, Nsahlai remains defiant, stating that he will not be intimidated by legal threats from separatists.

“No lawsuit will deter me from my mission. No amount of legal maneuvering will erase the crimes committed against innocent civilians,” Nsahlai said in a statement.
“I have dedicated my legal expertise to dismantling terrorist financing networks, exposing those who incite and orchestrate violence.”

He claims to have recently filed new legal complaints with U.S. authorities, alleging that Tapang Ivo and others are directly involved in terrorism.

“These lawsuits are not a distraction but a necessary step toward accountability. The world needs to know who is financing and directing acts of terror against Cameroonian civilians.”

A Case That Could Reshape Defamation Lawsuits

With both Nsahlai and his adversaries locked in legal combat, this case could set a precedent for defamation lawsuits involving Cameroonian activists abroad.

Legal experts say the case could test the limits of free speech, particularly in politically charged conflicts where claims of terrorism and human rights abuses intersect.

“This lawsuit is about accountability,” said J. Curtis Edmondson, Tapang Ivo’s attorney.
“No one should have to suffer from unfounded and malicious attacks.”

As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes are now on the U.S. courts, where both pro-government and separatist actors are seeking legal victories.

(Reporting by Boma Jude; Editing by Concord Staff)