By Olive Ejang Tebug
The fight started at 6 p.m on Monday, July 17, at Farm Road Street, Fiango Kumba, when Pius Akode, 30, decided to pack out of his Farm Road residence because he could not pay his electricity bills, which he said was too high.
After moving the first consignment of his belongings to his new house, other tenants of the compound locked up his door insisting that he must pay his share of FCFA 6,700 before leaving.
When Akode found his door sealed, he accused his neighbours of giving him a high bill. He argued that his sub-metre reading showed that he had consumed just FCFA 900 and told the tenants that he would not pay the said amount.
As Akode began to destroy the lock on his door, a fight ensued. The tenants fell on him, kicking and punching. They charged him with refusing to pay his electricity bill.
Four of the tenants; Javier, Collins, Roland and Pa Sih, beat up Akode mercilessly. Blood oozed from the victim's mouth.
It took several hours for other neighbours to separate the fight, though they vowed to sell Akode's belongings and pay the bill.Akode went to his new home in pains but never went to the hospital as he complained of poverty.
When the pains intensified on Saturday, July 22, he rushed to the Kumba District Hospital where he was diagnosed with internal bleeding. He collapsed and died hours later. Family members of the deceased conveyed the corpse to Tombel for burial. They promised to avenge their son's death.
The tenants have been interrogated at the Fiango Police Post, Kumba, where some of them have been detained.The Quarter Head, Raphael Nana, condemned force as a means of settling disputes. He lamented that if the tenants had accepted dialogue, Akode could not have lost his life. He appealed for calm while the judiciary investigates the matter.
What a waste. All this because of the pooverty that reigns full time riot.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
GOD SAVE US
Emmanuel Chim
Posted by: Chim | Thursday, 27 July 2006 at 08:57 PM
Akode may your soul know eternal rest, Amen! Oh poverty in that country. The Munas should be held responsible for all this. Trying to divide our SDF at the wake of an important election. We shall hack them!
Posted by: Akoson | Friday, 28 July 2006 at 01:47 AM
Akoson the shanghai hero,
You have been disgraced in the political arena and now you have resorted to other issues. The MUNAS have done much in this country to alleviate poverty so don't be jealous. Emulate them and put your family in the limelight.
greet the ching-chongs dear to u.
Posted by: Teribobs | Friday, 28 July 2006 at 05:14 AM
Teribobs,
I guesse ur name does,t originate from the word "terrible". I think it will be better if some of you can grow up a bit. I have followed all ur comments. U could do much better if u endeavour to focus on positive things. That done, u must have set a good path for ur juniors and family as a whole to ride on. With Love.
Posted by: Ndi O | Friday, 28 July 2006 at 06:01 AM