Les avocats Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla, Alice Nkom…Jean Claude Fogno, Charlie Tchikanda et Maximilienne Ngo Mbé ne renoncent pas…
Le Cameroun n’a pas encore formulé de loi pour la protection des défenseurs des droits humains comme le propose la Résolution 53/144 de l’Organisation des Nations Unies(Onu) sur la question.
La situation sécuritaire dans les régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-ouest n’est guère reluisante en ce début du mois de juillet 2021. Avocat au barreau du Cameroun et leader d’une organisation de défense des droits humains dénommée en anglais Center For Human Right en Justice In Arica (Chrda), Me Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla , ne cache pas son indignation dans un post diffusé sur la toile il y a quelques jours. « Lorsqu’une révolution assassine ceux qu’elle est censée protéger, lorsqu’une révolution commet des crimes et décapitations atroces et horribles pendant que les leaders ne condamnent pas de tels actes, alors, aussi bien la révolution que le commandement est en erreur. Nous avons des doléances légitimes mais décapiter nos frères ne peut être une justification suffisante pour la révolution. Je me lamente pour cette lutte. Comment en sommes nous arrivés à ce niveau de monstruosité? Il est impératif de repenser cette révolution », écrit-il. Il dénonce les groupes armées qui se battent pour la sécession. C’est avec une ardeur similaire qu’il critique les exactions causées par les forces gouvernementales à l’endroit des civils dans les deux régions sinistrées. « Chaque jour nous recevons des menaces de différents groupes armés ou des forces gouvernementales. Nous restons froids dans la rédaction de nos rapports ou au niveau de l’expression de nos dénonciations. Le défenseur des droits humains n’a pas de parti pris. Il travaille pour la préservation de la dignité humaine, même au risque de sa vie. Il doit être extrêmement prudent et travailler en réseau afin que les autres organisations ou militants de défense des droits humains soient au courant des menaces orchestrées contre sa personne », explique-t-il.
Dénoncer les exactions d’où qu’elles viennent
Et il n’entend pas reculer. Car il fait partie des figures fortes de la société civile dans les deux régions anglophones du Cameroun. Juste avant le conflit armé déclenché par des mouvements sécessionnistes communément appelé « ambazoniens », cet avocat et plusieurs autres acteurs de la société civile ont été embastillés à la prison centrale de Yaoundé pour avoir, courant 2015-2016, au nom du consortium de la société civile, revendiqué de meilleures conditions de travail pour les enseignants et les avocats dans les régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest. Venu à Bafoussam le mois d’avril dernier pour animer un séminaire portant, entre autres, sur les mécanismes de protection des défenseurs des droits humains, il a fait savoir à l’assistance constituée principalement de journalistes et d’avocats que son quotidien, en qualité de défenseur des droits humains, surtout dans les zones en conflit armé comme celles du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-ouest, est constitué de multiples attaques venant des forces de défense et de sécurité ou des groupes séparatistes armés dénoncés pour des exactions qu’ils commettent contre les populations civiles.
Today marks one week since prominent Cameroonian human rights lawyer, Amungwa Tanyi Nicodemus, was thrown behind bars on bogus charges of inciting terrorism. He should be released immediately.
Gendarmes arrested Amungwa on May 31 at the Groupement Territorial de la Gendarmerie in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, while he was assisting a client. According to Amungwa’s lawyers, after Amungwa complained that Cameroon’s criminal procedure had been breached in his client’s case, the gendarme in charge of the investigation seized Amungwa’s phone without a warrant, claiming Amungwa had taken photographs at the facility. While searching for the alleged photographs, the gendarme found other photographs that recorded alleged military abuses in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions and arrested Amungwa, his lawyers said.
Amungwa was transferred to the Service Central des Recherches Judiciaires (SCRJ), at the State Defense Secretariat (Secrétariat d’État à la défense, SED) – a detention facility where Human Rights Watch has previously documented repeated resort to incommunicado detention and torture – where he remains detained.
On June 1, Amungwa’s lawyers and the head of the Cameroon bar association visited him in detention and urged his release. Two days later, the Yaoundé military court prosecutor rejected Amungwa’s lawyers’ request for bail and returned the case to the SCRJ for “relevant checks.”
Amungwa, a member of the Cameroon bar association, is one of the lawyers representing Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe, the jailed leader of the Cameroonian separatist group, the Ambazonia Interim Government, and several other people arrested in connection with the Anglophone crisis.
“Amungwa’s arrest is a direct attack on the legal profession,” Ayukotang Ndep Nkongho, one of Amungwa’s lawyers, told me. “His arbitrary detention reveals a system geared towards stifling and undermining the role and activities of lawyers involved in key human rights cases.”
Provisional Report on the Arrest and Detention of Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus
On Monday the 31st of May 2021, Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus (a Lawyer to the Cameroon Bar Association ) was arrested while assisting his client at the Groupement Territorial de Yaoundé.
It is important to note that Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus is a committed human rights lawyer whose selflessness and dedication to the protection and promotion of the rights of the vulnerable makes violators uncomfortable and ready to oust him or paralyse the quality of his services.
On Monday the 31st of May 2021, Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus went to the Groupement Territorial de la Gendarmerie de Yaoundé to assist a litigant (his client) who had been arrested and locked up. The investigator (Adjudant Chef MINLO) records the statement of the litigant (note that the litigant is a client of Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus). After the recording the statement, Adjudant Chef MINLO moves to the next phase of the investigation, that of CONFRONTING THE PARTIES. At this stage, Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus realizes that Adjudant Chef MINLO rather wants to confront the lawyer of the adverse party to Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus’ client. Barrister AMUNGWA contests this and points out to the lawyer of the adverse party and Adjudant Chef MINLO that the Cameroon Criminal Procedure Code regulating the aspect of confrontation of parties during criminal investigations doesn’t allow a lawyer to ask and take questions in place of his client. As Adjudant Chef MINLO and the lawyer of the adverse party realize that Barrister AMUNGWA would not permit them contravene this procedural rule, the lawyer of the adverse party concerts with Adjudant Chef MINLO and starts screaming that he suspects Barrister AMUNGWA of taking snapshots. Barrister AMUNGWA holds out his phone, shows it to Adjudant Chef MINLO who rather seizes the phone and starts spouting obscenities at Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus. Obviously frustrated at the dexterity with which Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus defended his client’s rights, Adjudant Chef MINLO, not finding any picture related to the on going investigation, concludes that the images of the atrocities in the war torn regions found in Barrister AMUNGWA’s phone are tantamount to Acts of Terrorism. If Adjudant Chef MINLO can contravene the provision of the Criminal Procedure Code on confronting the parties it is just normal that he will stop at nothing in his bid to implicate anyone and particularly the one, Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus who exposes his abusive behavior.
So, Adjudant Chef MINLO abusively seizes Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus’ phone and frames him up for Acts of Terrorism whereas the former is in the exercise of his professional duties, that of assisting a litigant. Barrister AMUNGWA is then transferred to Service Central des Recherches Judiciaires (SCRJ) at about 5 p.m. The next day, Tuesday the 1st of June 2021, the Bâtonnier of the Cameroon Bar Association, Maître ATANGANA BIKOUNA Claire and two other lawyers Maître DJODO Crepin and I, AYUKOTANG NDEP NKONGHO visited Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus at SCRJ. While there, the Bâtonnier spoke with him and reassured him of her support. She then spoke with the Lieutenant at SCRJ charged with investigating the case and stated the position of the Cameroon Bar Association, the release of Barrister AMUNGWA. We left the service. Later in the day, Barristers NDETAN Victor and PEKUM Emmanuel visited him.
On Wednesday the 2nd of May 2021, Senior Barrister AKUWIYADZE Joseph, Barristers GBAKA Ernest, PEKUM Emmanuel and I, AYUKOTANG NDEP NKONGHO went to SCRJ and assisted him during the recording of his statement. At the end of the exercise, Senior Barrister AKUWIYADZE Joseph reiterated the position of the Cameroon Bar Association expressed the day before by the Bâtonnier Me. ATANGANA BIKOUNA Claire.
Yesterday, the 3rd of June 2021, Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus was presented to the Commissaire du Gouvernement du Tribunal Militaire de Yaoundé. The Bâtonnier was present and stayed on for about 3 hours. Immediately the Bâtonnier arrived, she spoke with and assured him. She then was ushered into the office of the Commissaire du Gouvernement where besides requesting the release of Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus, she, the Bâtonnier drew the attention of the Commissaire du Gouvernement to some unconscionable and wayward behavior of the gendarmes charged with the custody of Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus. Whereas the Commissaire du Gouvernement intervened immediately on the issue the gendarmes behavior and caused the gendarmes to treat Barrister AMUNGWA with respect of his inherent human dignity, the issue of release was left pending.
At about 7:30 p.m., the Commissaire du Gouvernement invited the Bâtonnier into his office. The Bâtonnier accompanied by Bar Council Member Maître Daniel Blaise NGOS, Maître Anne Yolande NGO MINYOGOG, Maître Dorcas NGONGME, Maître NDZODE NDE Yves, Barrister SAMKIA TITANJI, Barrister NDETAN Victor, Barrister PEKUM Emmanuel, Maître NDJODO Crepin, Maître FONGANG Jean Marc, Barrister ACHA MACKLEANS, Barrister KUHSEN Nicoline and I, Barrister AYUKOTANG NDEP NKONGHO got into the office of the Commissaire du Gouvernement. While in his office, he, the Commissaire du Gouvernement explained to us that he has returned the file to the investigating unit SCRJ for relevant checks. That as a result Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI Nicodemus will be held in custody until the eventual forwarding of the file by SCRJ to him, the Commissaire du Gouvernement. The Bâtonnier requested the release of Barrister AMUNGWA but the Commissaire du Gouvernement submitted that the request is considered and it would be appreciated and responded to in due time. It is with this conclusion that the Bâtonnier, accompanied by the other lawyers, walked to Barrister AMUNGWA, reassured him and while he was taken back to SCRJ by gendarmes, the lawyers retired to their respective destinations.
Done in Yaounde, this day, Friday the 4th of June 2021 at 9 a.m.
By AYUKOTANG NDEP NKONGHO, Advocate to the Cameroon Bar Association.
(Facebook)
Au #Cameroun, l’avocat Amungwa Tanyi Nicodemus est détenu suite à de fausses accusations d’incitation au terrorisme. Il devrait être libéré, tout comme d'autres défenseurs des droits humains et opposants injustement emprisonnés, selon @ilariallegro@hrw. https://t.co/KyZ3bDst7dpic.twitter.com/b6SaESFGzJ
L’avocat au barreau du Cameroun serait soupçonné de complicité avec des sécessionnistes qui mènent une lutte pour l’indépendance des régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest.
L’ONG Mandela Center annonce l’arrestation illégale et détention arbitraire de Me Amungwa Tanyi Nicodemus. C’est l’un des avocats de Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe et plusieurs autres anglophones dont le journaliste Kingsley Fumunyuy Njoka.
Selon notre source, il a été interpellé hier lundi et conduit dans les locaux du SED à Yaoundé. Motif : un gendarme aurait retrouvé des informations sur la crise anglophone dans son téléphone. Il serait soupçonné de complicité avec des sécessionnistes qui mènent une lutte armée depuis environ cinq ans pour l’indépendance des Régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest.
Amungwa Tanyi Nicodemus pourra être présenté ce jour devant le Commissaire du Gouvernement près le Tribunal Militaire de Yaoundé.
STATEMENT ON THE ARBITRARY ARREST AND DETENTION OF BARRISTER AMUNGWA TANYI NICODEMUS AT SED
CHRDA has been reliably informed of the arbitrary arrest and detention of Barrister AMUNGWA TANYI NICODEMUS, arrested on May 31st 2021, by elements of the National Gendarmerie and detained at Secretariat d’Etat a la Defense (SED) in Yaoundé.He is a Yaoundé based Lawyer and member of the Cameroon Bar Association, and a Defense lawyer for Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe and several other Anglophones detained in connection with the Anglophone crisis.
He was arrested at Groupement Territorial de la Gendarmarie at about 4 p.m. while representing his client. He was arrested on allegations that content and information related to the Anglophone crisis was found on his telephone after an arbitrary search by a gendarme officer.
According to Barrister Amungwa, he was arrested by gendarmes because he was vehemently contesting the arbitrary nature of their investigations and arrest of his client. Whereas, the report of the gendarmes who arrested him is to the effect that he took photos, an act which prompted the gendarme officers to seize his phone and in the course of searching for such photos, they found other content and post related to Anglophone struggle and killings of military officers.
This alleged findings of the gendarmes led to his arbitrary arrest and at about 5pm, he was transferred to the Service Central des Recherches Judiciaires at SED where he is currently in Custody and accused of Inciting Acts of Terrorism.CHRDA condemns this arrest as it is a direct attack on human rights defenders and call for his immediate release. The telephone of a lawyer as well as journalist and other human rights defenders is not subjected to any arbitrary search without a warrant. By dint of the fact that such persons deal with information which is obtained from all sources including social media, the presence of such information in their keeping must not be subjected to any criminal prosecution.
Generally, messages are forwarded via WhatsApp groups without the consent of the recipient, and possession thereof does not suffice to make one a criminal unless there is evidence that he shared same. Several Anglophones have been arrested and detained and some tried on counts of terrorism for the mere fact that their telephones were arbitrarily searched by military officers and images and other content related to the Anglophone crisis was found in their possession. We therefore condemn this attitude of the military and call for the immediate release of Barrister Amungwa and all persons arrested under similar circumstances.
President Biya should have Barrister Amungwa Tanyi Nicodemus released from jail immediately. Is Cameroon North Korea 🇰🇵? Yes! There’s no rule of law. That’s why Ambazonia must be liberated. You can’t deal with COVID-GATE, locking up lawyer is your priority? Annexation must end! https://t.co/f7QJcQ4b7k
#Cameroon gov Arrest Barrister Amungwa TANYI Nicodemus, the Communication & Media Head of jailed #Ambazonia leaders.
He's expected to b presented to the military court in Yaounde
In July 2019, he was rough handled by two Gendarmes in Yaounde & spent several days in the hospital pic.twitter.com/zA4RmISyWw
— #SouthernCameroons #Ambazonia Redemption (@WestCameroons) June 1, 2021
#Cameroon gov Arrest Barrister Amungwa TANYI Nicodemus, the Communication & Media Head of jailed #Ambazonia leaders.
He may be presented to the military court today in Yaounde.
In July 2019, he was rough handled by two Gendarmes in Yaounde and spent several days in the hospital pic.twitter.com/PZgQPD6ure
— #SouthernCameroons #Ambazonia Redemption (@WestCameroons) June 1, 2021
#Cameroon The Communication and Media Head of Ambazonia leaders in jail, Amungwa TANYI Nicodemus, has been arrested. Sources close to the jailed Ambazonia leader, who is among the 'Nera 10', #Sisiku Julius #Ayuktabe, say that Barrister Amungwa was arrested last night. pic.twitter.com/Q5tCZxHJIm
— Cameroon News Agency (CNA) (@CMRNewsAgency) June 1, 2021
Dans un communiqué publié ce samedi, le Réseau des défenseurs des Droits Humains en Afrique Centrale demande à l’ONU d’encourager le gouvernement camerounais à assurer la protection physique des deux femmes.
Pour avoir défendu les deux transgenres « Shakiro » et « Patricia », condamnés à 5 ans de prison, Me Alice Nkom et Maximilienne Ngo Mbe ont reçu plusieurs menaces de mort ces derniers jours. C’est du moins ce que ces deux défenseures des homosexuels disent.
Elles ont signalé les menaces qu’elles reçoivent au niveau des autorités et des organismes de défense des droits de l’Homme. Dans un communiqué publié ce samedi, le Réseau des défenseurs des Droits Humains en Afrique Centrale (REDHAC) appelle les Nations unies au secours.
Le Redhac demande à l’ONU d’encourager le gouvernement camerounais à « assurer la protection physique et l’intégrité morale des avocats et les 2 femmes défenseures (Me Alice Nkom et Maximilienne Ngo Mbe) qui subissent les menaces de mort, les insultes, les intimidations, mettre tout en œuvre pour la protection légale des Défenseur(e)s en adoptant la loi portant « Promotion et Protection des Défenseur(e)s» écrit le Redhac dans son communiqué.
Shakiro et Patricia ont été transférées à la prison centrale surpeuplée de Douala. Là-bas, elles auraient été battues et insultées par des gardiens et d’autres détenus. Les procureurs les ont accusées de tentative de conduite homosexuelle, d’outrage public aux mœurs, et de non-possession de leur carte d’identité nationale.
Since the beginning of the ongoing armed conflict in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, the civilian population have continued to suffer attacks from both the state and non-state armed groups. At least 4000 people have been killed because of the armed conflict. Illegal arrest, kidnapping and torture have continued to upsurge despite caution by the national and international stakeholders. The latest case is that of Barrister Legenju Vitalis of Poubom and Partners law firm in Buea,
The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), a Cameroonian based NGO in a statement has reported that Barrister Legenju Vitalis was kidnapped and assaulted by armed separatists in Ekona. Below is the full statement from CHRDA
In the evening of Friday 30 April 2021, about 10 members of the separatist armed group abducted Barrister Legenju and another unarmed civilian in Muea, a locality in Buea Sub Division and shot him on his right foot.
CHRDA visited him at the hospital while under intensive care, and he gave an account of what happened. According to Barrister Legenju, he was driving along the Muea stretch of road with a friend of his in the car, who is a teacher. When they got to the entrance of the Reference Hospital (Integrated Health Centre) in Muea, about 10 heavily armed men emerged from the bush and stopped their car. The leader of the gang ordered them to step out of the car and that if they make any joke he was going to shoot them.
They stepped out and he began interrogating them, asking for their profession. He told them he is a lawyer and the other person with him is a teacher. The gang leader then asks him why they started the Anglophone struggle as lawyers and teachers and abandoned it halfway? While he was still struggling to explain, he opened fire and shot him on his right foot. They then took him and his teacher friend in the car and started driving right far into the bush towards Ekona. On their way, the blood from his bullet wound was oozing out and he was bleeding profusely. The kidnappers realized that he was losing consciousness and they reversed the car and drove back to the main road where they dumped him by the roadside and left with the car and the teacher. (As of the time of this statement, there hasn’t been any news on the whereabouts of the teacher nor the car.)
Worthy of note is the fact that Barrister Legengju Vitalis is an active Human Rights Defender. He is the lead Counsel of CHRDA TASK FORCE for the defence of Anglophone detainees incarcerated in connection with the crisis in Cameroon. Under his pro bono services, hundreds of Anglophone detainees have been set free from prison. He defended Barrister Nkongho Felix and the members of the consortium at the military Tribunal in Yaoundé before their release. He has also been one of the main lawyers for Sissiku Ayuk Tabe and the Nera ten in Yaoundé and has also been arrested once by Defense and Security Forces in connection with the crisis.
Cameroonian based Human Rights NGO has condemned the assault on Barr Legenju Vitalis by alleged armed separatists in Ekona, South West Region of Cameroon. read details through the link below https://t.co/hj7YYFNdJ9 via @HRLRCofficialpic.twitter.com/MYlpqWwxBI
— Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (@HRLRCofficial) May 2, 2021
— Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (@chrda_africa) May 2, 2021
Flash :
L'avocat LEGENJU VITALIS a été kidnappé par des hommes armés à Buea. Ses ravisseurs vont lui loger une balle dans la jambe avant de le libérer. L'homme en robe se trouve actuellement dans un centre de santé où il reçoit des soins. pic.twitter.com/UrI3q0WX4r
Le célèbre avocat, propriétaire d’un cabinet d’avocats dans le comté d’Akwa, était basé au Cameroun depuis 44 ans.
En fin de compte, il n’a pas été blessé. L’avocat inscrit au barreau du Cameroun a été agressé et poignardé à mort par des inconnus à son domicile du quartier de Bonapriso dans la nuit du 16 novembre 2020. Depuis, il est à l’unité de soins intensifs de l’hôpital général de Douala. Malheureusement, ce dimanche 20 décembre 2020, à 73 ans, il a abandonné son âme.
« Le moment est difficile: celui pour vous informer du départ de mon frère et collègue Gérard Wolber vers l’Est éternel, où demain tout était fait pour son évacuation. L’attaque qu’il a subie l’a emporté, malgré deux opérations sur lui. Mes condoléances vont à ses enfants, sa famille et sa compagne Gémissons, Gémissons, Gémissons », a répondu Me Dominique Fousse, avocat au barreau du Cameroun, très proche du défunt.
Maître Gérard Wolber est expatrié au Cameroun depuis 1976 et disparaît sans connaître l’identité de son agresseur. L’enquête lancée par la gendarmerie au lendemain de son attaque au couteau n’a encore tiré aucune conclusion.
"Union de prières et beaucoup d ondes positives pour notre confrère Gérard Wolber aîné Past membre du Conseil de l ordre qui a été poignardé hier dans la nuit . A Bonapriso Il est en soin intensif."
Le mouvement de protestation entamé ce 30 novembre par les avocats camerounais met en lumière une crise latente qui les oppose depuis plusieurs années aux autorités judiciaires.
Plus aucune robe noire, ou presque, dans la salle des pas perdus. Depuis lundi, et jusqu’à ce vendredi 4 décembre, les avocats camerounais ont décidé de déserter les tribunaux. Un mouvement de grève lancé pour dénoncer ce que l’ordre des avocats considère comme une « persécution organisée » à l’encontre de leur corporation, dont les représentants sont « transformés en délinquants ».
Si les critiques des avocats à l’encontre de l’exécutif et des magistrats ne sont pas nouvelles, le procès particulièrement houleux qui s’est tenu le 10 novembre au palais de justice de Douala-Bonanjo a mis le feu aux poudres.
The doors of the Wouri Court of Appeal remain closed this Monday, November 30, 2020. At Bonanjo, Bonaberi and Ndokotti courts of first instance , it’s a similar situation.
No lawyer is in court for any activity. They are respecting a five-day lawyers’ strike called by the Bar Association running from Monday, November 30 to Friday, December 4, 2020.
Just as in Douala, lawyers throughout the national territory are observing the strike.
Following a release signed by the interim Bar Council president, Barrister Claire Atangana Bikouna, they decry the non-respect of lawyers in Cameroon by the magistracy, military and the executive in Cameroon.
According to Barrister Amungwa Nicodemus, magistrates in Cameroon erroneously consider themselves superior to Lawyers. “Given that they have the final decision in a court does not mean they should intimidate and abuse lawyers in the process of seeking justice. This has to stop for justice to be rendered to Cameroonians to improve the society,” he said.
“Magistrates, police and gendarmes in Cameroon have practically taken over the functions of lawyers. They call and intimidate clients and lawyers asking for money in exchange of justice. This is unacceptable,” Barrister Ebi Standley has stated.
DAY ONE OF THE NATION WIDE STRIKE OF LAWYERS OF THE CAMEROON BAR ASSOCIATION. 30th November – 4th December 2020. STRONGLY IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BAR TAKEN NOVEMBER 21st 2020#STOP THE PERSECUTION OF LAWYERS#STOP POLICE BRUTALITY ON LAWYERS#RESTORE OUR DIGNITY.
Two lawyers who had earlier been detained at the Douala Central Prison have been freed.
The lawyers including Barrister Tamfu Ngarka Triestel Richard and Maitre Armel Tchuenmegne Kenmegne were however handed six months suspended sentences with a fine of one hundred thousand francs cfa each.
The judgment was pronounced Monday November 23rd 2020, by the presiding judge Adama Musa Epse Ndomche at Bonanjo court of First Instance in Doaula.
According to Barrister Ebah Ntoko Justice, “…a six months suspended sentence for three years means the two lawyers will go home but if they commit a similar offense and are sentenced within a period of three years,they will have to serve an additional six months sentence”.
The lawyer posited that Bar. Tamfu Richard and Maitre Tchuenmegne will be release from New Bell prison where they have been remanded in custody since Friday November 20th 2020 as soon as they pay their financial fines of 100.000f each.
Later this Monday evening, Tamfu and Armel regained their freedom after fulfilling necessary administrative procedures.
The African Bar Association has lended support to the Cameroonian lawyers’ planned protests scheduled between November 30 to December 4.
According to a release signed by the Country Chairman of the African Bar, Stanisius Ajong, the planned protest is necessary to “restore the dignity of their calling”.
“We also suggest that you seek avenues to meet with the head of the judiciary in he country, who is the Chairperson of the Higher Judicial Council,” stated the African Bar in a release.
The African Bar stated that Cameroonian authorities should free up the judiciary and reduce the power exerted on the judicial arm of Government.
The lawyers are saying authorities are preventing them from executing their duties.
This follows an incident on November 9 where some lawyers were brutalised by police when they came to defend their colleagues at the Court of First Instance Bonanjo.
African Bar Association acclaims lawyers’ planned demonstrations in Cameroon
According to a release signed by the Country Chairman of the African Bar, Stanisius Ajong, the planned protest is necessary to “restore the dignity of their calling”.
Voici les résolutions de la réunion du conseil de l'ordre des avocats suite à ce qu'ils considèrent comme la persécution des avocats du barreau du #Cameroun. Une assemblée générale extraordinaire de l'ordre convoquée, des activités suspendues en signe de protestation. #Justicepic.twitter.com/aF2ZtGIZBH
