Banga Assam H. E. & Associates had the distinction of defending, assisting, and representing Mr. Ebong Aloysius Tilong, the first Cameroonian national to be extradited to the United States of America.

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Mr. Tilong, 57, a U.S. resident originally from Cameroon, had been wanted by U.S. federal authorities since 2017 for his role in a major Medicare fraud scheme in Texas involving over $13 million USD in fraudulent claims. In 2017, he was sentenced in absentia to 80 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, money laundering, and tax fraud.

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He was placed on the FBI’s wanted list and was among the Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), with a reward of $10,000 for information leading to his arrest.

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Following his arrest in Cameroon in January 2019 by the National Police, Banga Assam H. E. & Associates was entrusted with his legal defense in the extradition proceedings. The primary objective of the legal team was to oppose and prevent his extradition to the United States, arguing in favor of due process and the protection of his rights under Cameroonian and international law.

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Despite significant efforts and a complex legal battle involving international judicial cooperation, a presidential decree signed in September 2021 by the President of the Republic of Cameroon authorized Mr. Tilong’s removal. He was extradited on December 10, 2021, escorted by U.S. Marshals to Houston, Texas, to begin serving his sentence.

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This unprecedented case in Cameroonian legal history highlights the ability of Banga Assam H. E. & Associates to operate in complex transnational litigation, particularly in areas involving international criminal law, extradition procedures, and the defense of fundamental rights.

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