After taking oath as advocate-in-training: Domtchueng Yolande commits to serve nation, vulnerable persons.

A total of 738 pupil lawyers were sworn in. The 23-year-old native of Baham, West Region of the country, expressed joy in becoming a member of the Cameroon bar.

“As the Bar Council President said it is a noble profession and it is a privileged to serve others and those in need. Those who need protection and advice. I feel honoured and pray God guides me to serve my country with honour and dignity as well as avoid acts that bring shame and dishonour to the profession and to God,” Domtchueng stated.

She highlighted that she looks forward to a remarkable career in law but to do that, she has to find a good law chambers that will equip her with skills and practical techniques of the profession, values that are required to build a solid career.

“I want to be a good lawyer and one with a remarkable reputation in future so I am going to work hard, remain strong and courageous,” she said.

Childhood dream turned reality

According to Domtchueng Tchuengwo Yolande, she developed her love and passion for law early on in life. 

She revealed that as a chatty kid and teenager, people around her always remarked that being a lawyer will be good for her so she started developing interest in the profession.

The pupil advocate said this pushed her to take legal studies at the University of Buea where she read Common Law at the undergraduate level and then at the postgraduate level she read Business Law, at the end of which she obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Law.

“Launching the Bar Exams was really good for me as it has given me the opportunity to enter into the profession, I have admired for most of my life,” Domtchueng said with joy.

Maurice Kamto, Barisker Akere Muna… role models

The young advocate-in-training did not fail to mention some seasoned professionals whose works she has loved and admired for a long time.

“I love and admire the work of Barrister Akere Muna, Maurice Kamto and recently I have been following and taking great interest in the work of Barrister Claude Assira one of the lawyers of the Martinez Zogo trial. I see how he crafts arguments to defend the State and I admire how he does that. I aspire to walk in their paths in this legal profession,” she said.

Extends gratitude to parents

According to the pupil lawyer, all she has done and achieved till this date is thanks to her parents. Their constant love and endless support and prayers.

“I am really proud and happy with the parents that I have. I have the best father ever and I love and admire how he loves us his children, as well as other people. Words cannot describe how I feel. My parents have done so much for us. They are my true support system and I don’t know how I would have succeeded without them,” Domtchueng underscored. 

Father expresses immense joy 

The father of Domtchueng Yolande, Serge Domtchueng, congratulated his daughter for the remarkable feat and expressed his immense joy and satisfaction with all she has achieved. 

“She is still young and has already achieved so much. She had her GCE Advanced Level at 16 and seven years after that she has taken an oath as an advocate-in-training. I have a feeling of total satisfaction. I am equally grateful for the time she spent in Buea and came back home without any issues, considering the security issues in the town,” the father stated.

He equally shared a word of advice which he hopes will guide his daughter as she navigates the professional world.

“Today I want to tell her to leave all her worries to God that has taken her to these heights because it is not as a result of her strength alone,” he said. 

According to Domtchueng, the family is waiting for her to graduate from the International Relations Institute of Cameroon, IRIC, where she is currently in her second year, taking another Masters course in International Disputes, and as a full lawyer so they can celebrate again.

Domtchueng Tchuengwo Yolande Sheryl did her primary education in Bafoussam and then Douala in the French sub system of education. 

For her secondary education, she switched to the English sub system and then graduated with a GCE Ordinary and Advanced Levels in Arts from the Royal College in Douala.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3240 of Wednesday September 25, 2024