Criminal Proceedings Before the Military Tribunal in Cameroon

The purpose of criminal law is self-protection and to prevent harm to others. Section 59(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code is to the effect that, the commission of any offence may lead to the institution of criminal proceedings and as the case may be, to a civil action. The institution of criminal proceedings aims at procuring a sentence or a preventive measure against an offender as provided by law. Civil action is intended to provide compensation for damages resulting from an offence. The criminal process commences after the commission of the offence. The victim, witness, or any person having knowledge of the circumstances may report them orally or in writing either to the State Counsel, or any other investigative agency. When the report is lodged at the State Counsel’s chambers, the State Counsel shall forward it to the competent investigative agency with specific instructions as to the manner in which investigations should be conducted. AS a result, we have courts with ordinary jurisdiction and courts with exceptional jurisdiction. Military tribunal in Cameroon, falls under the category of courts with exceptional jurisdiction and so to better apprehend this article, this work shall examine how criminal cases are investigated and tried before the military tribunal in Cameroon.