A long-running legal battle between the Société Civile Immobilière de Bonanjo (SCI Bonanjo) and its former tenant, the Douala Urban Community (CUD), has entered a new chapter amid accusations of deliberate delays and unpaid rents.
The case, heard on 4 September 2025 at the Commercial Court of Wouri, has once again been postponed, with the next hearing set for 2 October 2025.
The dispute stems from a partnership lease agreement that SCI Bonanjo claims was breached when the CUD allegedly failed to pay rent and refused to vacate its premises.
Despite repeated legal summonses, the CUD has continued to occupy the property, prompting SCI Bonanjo to seek judicial intervention to terminate the lease and recover arrears.
During the latest court session, the CUD’s legal counsel requested an adjournment, citing ongoing negotiations to finalise a protocol agreement between the parties. However, SCI Bonanjo dismissed this request as a tactic to stall proceedings.
“The request for adjournment formulated by the CUD has no purpose other than to delay the process,” said the counsel for SCI Bonanjo, highlighting the mounting unpaid rents and the deteriorating condition of the property.
Documents presented in court reveal that a protocol agreement dated 29 August 2024, and registered with the tax administration, required the CUD to vacate the building by 31 December 2024 and settle CFA 351 million in rent arrears for the period of October 2022 to December 2024. According to SCI Bonanjo, these commitments were never honoured, and substantial payments remain outstanding.
SCI Bonanjo has formally rejected a revised agreement proposed by the CUD in April 2025, insisting on immediate eviction and payment of arrears. “We formally reject the proposed protocol agreement and reiterate our firm request for the immediate release of our building,” the company stated.
As the legal battle drags on, the property continues to suffer from neglect, while unpaid bills have reportedly accumulated since the last quarter of 2024. The case has now been referred to the public prosecutor for review, with SCI Bonanjo urging the court to “execute the law” and enforce the eviction along with the payment of overdue rents.
Observers say the dispute highlights broader concerns over delays in commercial litigation and the challenges faced by property owners in enforcing contracts against public institutions in Cameroon.
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