On March 18, 2025, Dagobert Wafo was sentenced to death by firing squad by the High Court of Yaoundé for the murder of six-year-old Mathis, a crime that ignited public outrage in Cameroon back in May 2025. The court ordered Wafo to pay 500 million CFA francs in damages to the victim's family and an additional 25 million for legal costs. The verdict was met with satisfaction from the victim's family lawyers, who viewed it as justice served in a highly publicized case.

The prosecution had requested the death penalty during the first hearing at the end of 2025, reflecting the seriousness with which the court viewed the crime. The judge's decision to impose the capital sentence underscores the intense societal pressure and moral condemnations surrounding crimes against children in the country. This case has reignited debates over the death penalty in Cameroon, particularly regarding its alignment with international human rights commitments.

While the legal representatives for the family expressed their contentment with the ruling, the defense condemned the verdict as a step backward for Cameroon in terms of its international obligations. This highlights the ongoing tension within Cameroonian society about the use of the death penalty, especially in cases involving minors, as the country grapples with questions of justice and human rights amidst increasing crime rates.