Nsahlai Law Firm Faces Legal Heat for Targeting Ambazonian Activists

Critics have labeled these allegations defamatory and baseless, with the Ambazonian community planning legal action against the firm.

Allegations in the Nsahlai Letter

In its January 2025 communication, Nsahlai Law Firm cited legal frameworks such as INA Sections 237(a)(4)(B) and 340(a), seeking the revocation of green cards and deportation of prominent Ambazonian activists. The accusations include terrorism, material support for violence, and immigration fraud. Activists like Tapang Ivo Tanku and others were named, prompting widespread outrage.

Abdulkarim Ali’s Response: Legal Framework for Defamation Cases

Ambazonian intellectual and decolonization leader Abdulkarim Ali has encouraged the targeted individuals to pursue legal action. In his January 30, 2025 statement, Ali outlined potential remedies, including defamation lawsuits, stating:

“Comrades targeted by Nsahlai's defamatory statements, allegedly made under the guise of a law firm, should consider taking legal action. Filing civil lawsuits for defamation and libel are viable options.”

Ali emphasized the importance of unity and collective action in addressing the oppression faced by Ambazonians.

Criminal Conviction of Rose-Marie Nsahlai: A Spotlight on Family Ties

Adding further complexity, Rose-Marie Nsahlai, sister of Nsahlai Law Firm’s Emmanuel Nsahlai, has been convicted in the U.S. for a fraudulent COVID-19 relief scheme. Rose-Marie and her husband, Didier Kindambu, illegally obtained over $2.5 million through falsified Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications.

Key details of the case:

1. The companies cited in the loan applications—Papillon Air, Inc. and Papillon Holdings, Inc.—had no employees or payroll.
2. Funds were diverted for personal luxuries, including a private jet and property in Cameroon.
3. Rose-Marie was sentenced in November 2024 to 24 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and restitution payments.
4. Her appeal, citing domestic abuse and alleged errors in jury instructions, was rejected by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Activist Tapang Ivo Tanku highlighted this development in a social media post, connecting it to a broader pattern of corruption within the Nsahlai family.

Historical Context: A Family Legacy of Controversy

The Nsahlai family’s alleged criminal ties extend beyond Rose-Marie’s case. Activists accuse the late Christopher Nsahlai, a former Cameroonian government official, of misappropriation and other corrupt practices. Activists see the family’s history as emblematic of broader systemic corruption within La République du Cameroun.

The Fight for Justice

This ongoing controversy has galvanized Ambazonians to take collective action. Legal experts have emphasized the seriousness of publicly labeling activists as terrorists without evidence. Defamation lawsuits against the Nsahlai Law Firm could set a precedent, forcing accountability for false accusations.

Ambazonian activists have also petitioned the U.S. government to deport Emmanuel Nsahlai and other alleged offenders connected to systemic fraud and criminal activities.

A Turning Point in the Struggle

The Ambazonian community sees this moment as a call to action, not only against defamation but also against broader attempts to silence legitimate calls for independence. As legal proceedings move forward, this case could have far-reaching implications for justice, accountability, and the protection of human rights.