By Amindeh Blaise Atabong, January 10, 2017
Cameroon Journal, Yaounde – Over 66 prominent Anglophone and Francophone lawyers, amongst them Barristers Maurice Kamto, Bernard Muna, Ndong Christopher, Athony Nong Zih, and Simon Pierre Eteme Eteme, are set to defend some 28 Anglophone youths who were arrested during violent protests in Bamenda late last year. The arrested protesters, currently being detained at the Secretariat of State for Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie (SED) in Yaounde, are yet to appear in court.
The lawyers, acting under the banner of the Human Rights Commission of the Cameroon Bar Association, will today Tuesday January 10, at 10am visit the Anglophone detainees at SED, before proceeding to visit 14 others at the Kondengui Maximum Security Prison already undergoing trial.
Yesterday Monday, January 9, twelve of the 66 lawyers, conspicuous amongst them Maurice Kamto, led by Anthony Nong Zih, representing the President of the Human Rights Commission of the Cameroon Bar Association, had an over two hour working session at the Yaounde Military Tribunal. They met with the Military Prosecutor handling the case of the 28 Anglophone youths detained at SED. The Cameroon Journal learned four of the 28 detainees had earlier been released on grounds that they were minors.
According to Barrister Ndong Christopher, who took part in yesterday’s working session, the remaining 24 Anglophone youths are charged with rebellion, destruction of state property, rioting and insurrection. He also said one of the major charges is terrorism.
Ndong quoted the Military Prosecutor as saying that the case file was being handled at a higher level and that he (Military Prosecutor) was waiting for instructions as to the release of the youths. The Military Prosecutor hinted that the Government was looking forward to the release of those arrested during the strike in Bamenda.
14 others already on trial
Meanwhile, 14 other Anglophone youths detained at Kondengui have already been charged to court by committal order. They were arrested during the violent protest of December 8, 2016, in Bamenda. They stand accused of destruction of a police station, attempted murder, non possession of national ID card, illegal possession of arms, hostilities, incitement to revolt, amongst other charges.
Barrister Simon Pierre Eteme Eteme, President of the Human Rights Commission of the Cameroon Bar Association, in a
January 9 correspondence, expressed the wish of the Commission to provide legal counsel to the accused Anglophones in order to protect their rights.
Hon. Fobi visits arrested Anglophone protesters
Hon. Fobi Nchinda Simon, Member of Parliament for Bamenda and Bali Constituency, has paid a visit to the 14 Anglophone youths who were arrested in Bamenda and transferred to Kondengui in Yaounde. The MP was accompanied to the Kondengui Maximum Security Prison, Saturday January 7, by Barristers Mbandam Boniface Teke and Nchinda Fobi Francis.
The Cameroon Journal learned the purpose of the visit was to interview each of the 14 detainees concerning the circumstances of their arrest as well as the conditions of their travel to and detention in Yaounde. They all were arrested in Bamenda, Hon. Fobi’s constituency.
During the visit, Fobi told the detainees to be mentally strong in the face of all adversity, to be in constant contact with God and to take care of their body hygiene.
He used the occasion to donate cooking utensils and a week’s supply of raw food stuff to the detainees. The MP disclosed the detainees complained of sleeping on bare floor and the horrible sanitary and health condition of the prison facility.