After taking oath as pupil lawyer: Tangye Solomon gets blessings of Barrister Akere Muna, Senator Chafah.

Tangye, a businessman of high standing, started his journey into the prestigious legal profession on Friday September 20, 2024.

The native of Awing in Santa Subdivision, Mezam Division of the North West Region, was among 738 pupil lawyers who took part in an oath-taking ritual organised at the Mfoudi High Court in Yaounde.

The pupil advocates who took the oath in Yaounde will for the next 24 months, undergo training in law chambers in the Centre, South and East regions, before they qualify as full-fledged lawyers in the Cameroon Bar Association.

A grandiose and colourful reception organised in honour of Tangye Solomon, was attended by several dignitaries, including former Bar Council President, Barrister Akere Muna and Senator Fon Chafah XI.

Also in attendance were a cross section of Members of Parliament and Senators from the North West, magistrates, family members and close relations.

Speaking during the event, Barrister Akere Muna congratulated the advocate-in-training for the giant step he has taken towards becoming a full-fledged lawyer.

According to Barrister Akere Muna, praticising as a lawyer in Cameroon and getting justice isn’t easy sometimes, given the corrupt nature of some members of the judiciary.

“…It’s difficult in our country now with the wave of corruption and lack of accountability and for a lawyer to really work. But coming into the profession, you should be ready to go the long way and success will always come,” he advised. 

On the decision to honour Tangye Solomon’s invitation, the legal heavyweight said: “He’s a successful businessman and deciding to become lawyer, it has to be out of passion”. 

Enter Senator Fon Chafah 

On his part, the member of the Upper House of Parliament challenged the pupil lawyer to be exemplary and always ready to stand for those who don’t have voice and can’t defend themselves.

“The legal profession is a corps for noble people, for people of integrity because you are called upon to defend the defenseless, the helpless and those who don’t have a voice but if you don’t have integrity and you put money first, you won’t be able to exercise that function,” Senator Chafah said.

He urged Tangye Solomon never to relent in his efforts to become not only better but the best in what he’s doing.

“The legal profession is one where you learn everyday as you go to court, you have to continuously do research so that when a matter comes up, you know how to about it,” the traditional ruler cum lawmaker stated.

Speaking about the advocate-in-training, the Senator Chafah mentioned that: “From my little knowledge of this gentleman we’re honouring this evening, he is not going into the legal profession to make money because he’s already an accomplished businessman, he’s a humble guy and perfect gentleman”. 

“When I see people of the caliber of Barrister Akere Muna here, I have no doubt of the mentorship he has had and I know that he’ll come out as a distinguished lawyer,” the lawmaker said.

‘Justice has always been part of me from childhood’

Speaking to The Guardian Post, Tangye Solomon who was the celebrant of the day, said he was delighted to begin fulfilling his dream of becoming a lawyer.

“This profession is the best in the world and I’m happy to be part of it. I don’t do it with the intention to make money because justice has been part of me from childhood. I’ve liked to always make peace, solve problems, settle disputes, being an arbitrator and now I’ve to professionalise it. It gives you that feeling that this is where you belong,” Tangye said.

While paying tribute to Barrister Akere Muna, Senator Chafah and others whom he said were his mentors, the pupil lawyer said: “If you see me become the person I’m today, it is thanks to these personalities, they have sharpened me well, they mean a lot to me and I look up to them”. 

He presented Barrister Akere Muna as “a personality that when we were children, we wanted to be like him, he’s an icon. I’m pleased to become like him someday in the legal profession,”. 

Tangye lost his parents when he was very young but had to brave the odds to become who he is today. 

“I grew up from a very poor family background, I lost my parents like 25 years ago. We’re a family of six and had to struggle on our own to become what we’re today, so it’s been a long journey and by the grace of God, here we’re today,” he revealed.

It should be noted that Tangye Solomon is among 2,016 declared successful last June 21, by the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso, after sitting the 2024 Bar exams.

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