Joseph vest the prisoner (in T-shirt) Atanga Nji the Minister (in suit)
By The Independentist Investigations Desk
Fresh allegations from the online outlet The Phoenix, amplified by The Observer, are shaking the political establishment in Yaoundé. Whistleblower N’zui Manto claims that Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, is not who he says he is. According to Manto, the minister’s real name is Joseph Vest, and he allegedly assumed the identity and academic records of his deceased twin brother, Atanga Nji.
If true, this could explain why no verifiable proof of his schooling or early career exists. Eyewitnesses say he left St. Bede’s College in his third year, but no official records confirm it. Manto also alleges he once served time in New Bell Prison in Douala — a detail absent from his public biography.
The Observer adds that a photograph has emerged allegedly showing the minister during his time as a prisoner under the name Joseph Vest. The image has been widely circulated on social media by Cameroonian activists at home and abroad. Supporters of the whistleblower’s claims point to strong facial resemblance, while skeptics caution that in the era of artificial intelligence and image manipulation, such material must be independently verified before being treated as fact.
Official records and academic profile
According to publicly available biographical information, Paul Atanga Nji was born in 1960 in Bamenda. He has been Minister of Territorial Administration since March 2, 2018, and also serves as Permanent Secretary of the National Security Council of Cameroon. His official résumé states that he holds a Master’s degree in Public Law, a PhD in Economics from a Chinese university, and a certificate in financial management. While this academic profile is part of his public record, no independent verification of his degrees from the awarding institutions has yet been made available in the context of these allegations.
The political context
These claims surface as the Constitutional Council handles tense pre-election disputes, including the high-profile case of Professor Maurice Kamto. N’zui Manto accuses the minister of hacking his own ministry’s website, falsifying documents, and installing a “fictitious president” for the Manidem party — actions critics say reflect a broader pattern of political manipulation.
Where the matter stands
The allegations remain unverified. No irrefutable public evidence has yet been produced to prove identity theft or falsification of academic records. The minister has not responded to repeated requests for comment. Observers note that only a thorough, independent investigation — including forensic analysis of the disputed photograph and direct confirmation from the Chinese university said to have awarded his doctorate — could settle the matter.
Until then, the Atanga Nji dossier remains one of Cameroon’s most sensational but unproven political controversies.
The Independentist Investigations Desk
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