SCNC Detainees Denied Bail; Communication Officer Freed

By Chris Mbunwe

The Vice National Chairman of the Southern Cameroons National Council, SCNC, Nfor Ngala Nfor, and 13 others, arrested during a press conference on January 20, 2007, have been denied bail.

Asunkwan:Out of the cage

Barrister Bobga Mbuton, the Defence Counsel of the detainees, failed to convince the Mezam High Court, presided by Justice Julius Ncho, to release the SCNC detainees.

Bobga told The Post that the court decided that his clients could not be granted bail in accordance with the new Criminal Procedure Code, CPC, Section 224, Sub-section 2 that attracts life jail.

It reads; "Any person lawfully remanded in custody may be granted bail on condition that he fulfils one of the conditions referred to in Section 246 (9) in particular to ensure his appearance either before the judicial police or any judicial authority."

Sub-section 2, reads: "The provisions of subsection (1) above shall not apply to persons charged with felonies punishable with life imprisonment or death." It would be recalled that Nfor Nfor and 13 others were charged under Sections 111 of the Penal Code which hinges on secession; an act which the Court holds infringes on the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cameroon, and, as such, shall be punished with detention for life.

Since this was the first time the SCNC detainees were being brought to court, Bobga's plea that the court should consider their ages and grant them bail came to nought. 
After failing in this plea, Bobga then submitted that, if the court had to take any new date, it should be within 24 hours.

This seemed to attract some sympathy from the court and Justice Ncho adjourned the matter to Friday, February 23."My argument was that Preliminary Investigations are still going on to determine whether the detainees are guilty of the crime or not, but the court failed to draw a line between a holding charge and a firm charge," said Bobga.

He explained that a holding charge has to do with unsupportable allegations as opposed to a firm charge which has to come after a thorough PI which determines the magnitude of the crime.

Meanwhile, the Communication Officer of the SCNC, Ngiewih Asunkwan, who had been incarcerated at the Bamenda Central Prison since December 29, 2006 for circulating SCNC literature was released.

Asunkwan was granted self-bail in a Preliminary Investigation, PI, that started in an open court and later in camera where the press was barred.Bobga's applications that the court should allow the press cover the proceedings fell on deaf ears.

However, briefing the press after the PI, Barrister Bobga said there was a defect in the holding charge pressed against Asunkwan. "The court said he was preaching and distributing SCNC material.

Then, I asked how that can be linked to secession which is a concept and how tangible that was to the charge," Bobga explained.

Comments

[Paa Ngembus]

Fellow Southern Cameroonians with brains,

This tells us one and only one thing:

"The time for the force of argument is over".

It is about time for:

"THE ARGUMENT OF FORCE".

As we go to Dallas, USA in April 2007, let us seriously chew on this.

No freedom has ever been won with words. Our colonizer know that.

When we start sending their consuls, pro-consuls and marauding rapists in the name of soldiers back in frozen boxes, they will leave.

It is time to put a bounty on the head of every frog Gouverneur, DO, SDO, ADO, commandant, etc., etc. in the Southern Cameroons.

Paa Ngembus
THE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS SHALL BE DECOLONIZED BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY

[fonlon2]

Fellow Southern Cameroonians, Isn’t it time?
Recent events in the northern region of our country have proven that, our independent can not be gained by words. We must match words with action. It’s legitimate that we started through words and mass sensitisation of our fellow countrymen. It’s legitimate that we when through the African Court, UNPO, UNCNR and other international forum to lay down our case against the occupying force. While things seem to move in the right direction though too slow, La Republic du Cameroun has chosen to defy all.
This year is a year of great significant to our nation. While aggression is illegitimate, we must note that self-defence is a legitimate right of every nation. Let us iron out the ideological differences between the southern Cameroons movement and stand out as one man against our common enemy. “The Force of argument” was a step in a successive process and believe me it’s time for the “The Argument of force” to take over the process.
I call on every conscientious southern Cameroonian to individually and severally prepare for the alternate and unquestionable liberalisation of their Nation. Indeed it’s our legitimate right.
Posterity will never forgive us if we fail to observe this duty.

[fonlon2]

Fellow Southern Cameroonians, Isn’t it time?
Recent events in the northern region of our country have proven that, our independent can not be gained by words. We must match words with action. It’s legitimate that we started through words and mass sensitisation of our fellow countrymen. It’s legitimate that we when through the African Court, UNPO, UNCHR and other international forum to lay down our case against the occupying force. While things seem to move in the right direction though too slow, La Republic du Cameroun has chosen to defy all.
This year is a year of great significant to our nation. While aggression is illegitimate, we must note that self-defence is a legitimate right of every nation. Let us iron out the ideological differences between the southern Cameroons movement and stand out as one man against our common enemy. “The Force of argument” was a step in a successive process and believe me it’s time for the “The Argument of force” to take over the process.
I call on every conscientious southern Cameroonian to individually and severally prepare for the alternate and unquestionable liberalisation of their Nation. Indeed it’s our legitimate right.
Posterity will never forgive us if we fail to observe this duty.

[AngloCameroonian]

I most honestly say that, the SCNC is confused.
First they wanted bail, now they deny it.
Secondly they complained of hunger, later they were opting for hunger strike.
All these is leaving even undecided followers with scepticism as to what the game is all about. You cannot fight a course alone, even salvation. You need people and winning more people to you side better than losing them. Are you sure even when you bring the guns, the citizens will take them? You need charismatic leaders with pragmatic ideas.

[Noise Maker]

Where are all the Internet Freedom Fighters (IFFs). You run abroad, eat well, have access to the internet, and use it to deceive others to die in the name of separation that will never work. Your leaders have been arrested and jailed and all you do is to avoid even simple comments on the subject. You all now seem more interested in what the SDF is saying about China instead of the status of your leaders. Shame on all of you IFFs. A very BIG SHAME. The SCNC and the separatist movement in Cameroon now need your support, financial and moral. What are you doing to help? All the IFFs on this forum do not spend a franc to support the course they pretend to support. My advice, stop deceiving yourselves and forget about separation. This will be healthy for you. Work for democracy in Cameroon because that may gain the sympathy of the international community. One more thing, all IFFs on this forum should go to Cameroon and visit their leaders in Bamenda Central Prison, and sign the guest book. That will show that you are a true fighter.

[Ma Mary]

UNPO to UN: Urgent Action Needed in Southern Cameroons

2007-02-22

The Hague, 22 February 2007 – UNPO remains deeply concerned about deteriorating human rights conditions in Southern Cameroons and therefore appeals to the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders and Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression for international action regarding persecution against the Southern Cameroons community.

Mr. Nfor Ngala Nfor (54), UNPO Member Representative, Vice Chairman of Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) and continuous advocate of Human Rights in Southern Cameroons, was arrested at a press conference in Bamenda, Southern Cameroons on 20 January 2007, where he has remained detained for over one month without formally being charged for any crime. His detention marks yet another in a lengthy series of arrests and persecutions committed against the Southern Cameroons community by authorities in the Republic of Cameroon.

Also arrested on 20 January 2007 were fellow SCNC representatives: Mbinglo H. Humphrey (65), Tantoh Simon Nshukwi (65), Achu Nji David (56), Stephen Kongnso (45), Dzeni Augustine Shieyntum (36), Henry Lamnyam (35), Lucas Ngwa Che (57), Nguemu Clement Atanga (60), Mongo Steven (43), and Mbi Ann Rita (60). SCNC is an organization which strives to provide political representation to the Southern Cameroons community and ensure Human Rights are not marginalized.

All SCNC representatives jailed have remained in Bamenda Central Prison without formal charges being issued. Bail hearings scheduled for 13 February 2007, already twenty-four days after their arrest, were further postponed until 20 February 2007.

Reports indicate over 200 hundred activists, including representatives from human rights organizations and journalists, gathered to observe hearings on 20 February 2007, however were forced to exit the courtroom as hearings proceeded without public witness. Hearings were set to reconvene on 22 February 2007 and despite the reported presence of over 300 activists they were further delayed until 27 February 2007.

UNPO condemns the blatant breach of international law guaranteeing individuals freedom of expression and assembly and the right to due legal process, therefore UNPO has appealed to Ms. Hina Jilani, Special Rapporteur of the General Assembly on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, and Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo, Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression to:

Investigate these cases of arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention and, in accordance with Your mandate, seek assurances from the Government of the Republic of Cameroon that these individuals, as defenders of human rights, are afforded their full rights as enshrined in the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;

Remind the Republic of Cameroon authorities of their obligations under internationally recognised standards of Human Rights, including the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; and

Consider a country visit to the Republic of Cameroon during which You may evaluate and report on the Government of the Republic of Cameroon’s practices with respect to local defenders of Human Rights, with particular attention to their policy towards those defending the rights of minority communities and indigenous peoples, such as the Southern Cameroons community.

[Fon]

Noise Maker,
You have spoken out your mind. Don´t worry, Rexon is seriously fasting and praying for the detainees.

Anglocameroonian:
"First they wanted bail, now they deny it."
The statement that "SCNC Detainees Denied Bail" means the court refused to grant the detainees bail and not that the court granted bail and the detainees refused it.

[felix]

The African's Prayer

O european, thou art in Africa
Disgrace is thy name;
Thy kingdom go.
Our will be done in Africa
As yours is done in Europe.
We take this day our full freedom
And we shall not be lead into slavery
But will deliver ourselves from exploitation.
For Africa is our kingdom, our power, our glorious land.
Forever and ever ...
Amen.
source: Grass Roots, Black Liberation Front, 1973, von rado jadu 2000

[M Nje]

Anglocameroonian,
Read with an open mind. We talked about this last time. You did the same thing again. Read what you see not what is in your mind.

"Nfor Ngala Nfor, and 13 others, arrested during a press conference on January 20, 2007, have been denied bail."

The court refused to grant them bail. They did not deny bail.

[felix]

Virginia apologizes for role in slavery
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070225/ap_on_re_us/slavery_apology

Its welcome news to Africa and Africans but more is needed.

[felix]

Africa is looking for the Day when Europe and USA will apologized for Slavery and when
Europe will apologize for colonalization (a modern day Slavery)
But before this could happened Europeans ought to break the structure of colonization and denounced their barbaric law which they termed “International Law” that is empowering them to contain Africa in their colonial BOX .(formal colonies now turn countries).
Let us know that what we call Colonial Heritage be it Aglo-Saxon or Francophonie or any other will never never and never make us British or French or you name the rest.
It’s a SHAME that some Africans claim to be proud of this forced heritage SCNC – French Cameroonians for example. Such is a classical symptom of stockholm syndrom. Despite all the pains and problems we are facing today because of colonization,despite the fact that our colonial masters are still looting us and depriving us of our basic right to live through their imposed political structures within which is an economic starvation plans-our economic can only try to breath because international institution(IMF and World bank) say it should.
Its also high time Some Africans who think they are French by virtue of colonalization realized that they are not. How many French speaking Africans were deported because of their right to ask from better living standard and job in France?? Check it out.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/11/09/news/france.php

[M Nje]

Mr. Felix,

If you are against the struggle for the restoration of the independence of Southern Cameroons, have the courage of your conviction to come out clearly. Stop hiding under the pretext of anti-colonization or what ever you call yourself.

You ran from the other debate about the composition of Kamerun when you were proven to have a very sallow understanding of history.

Now you have started another falsehood: that Southern Cameroons expects to be British citizen. You will run again. Where did you read that when someone says they have an Anglo-Saxon heritage, then they expected to be British citizen?

Since you seem to be suggesting that you are the most patriotic African, start to do away with the Anglo-Saxon heritage that you say others are proud of.

1) Next time you post a comment here, do it in your native African language, don`t ever use English.

2) I don`t know your level of education but if you have any certificate such as First School Leaving Certificate, GEC ordinary or Advanced level, or a college degree that was based on Anglo-Saxon or other non-African curriculum do well to renounce it and withdraw from using it in life.

3) Go to the African Union and protest that all colonial boundaries should be abolished and African should become one entity with no foreign heritage such as language or educational system .

If you do all of the above for the rest of your life then you will have proven that you are anti-colonization, you do what you say.

If you cannot then you are a big HYPOCRITE. You do not follow what you preach. You are just an advocate against the Southern Cameroons struggle hiding under some false notion of anti-colonization.

[Riccardo]

True Patriots and Proud Cameroonians,

You said it all here!
Our beloved Country shall never, never, never be divided...
We know where our problems are and shall never be misled by these IFFS (Internet Freedom Fighters). By the way, thanks for the definition NOISEMAKER.
Peaceful democratic changes will sweep Cameroun and all its children will regain freedom, justice, prosperity and peace.
Stay the course Patriots... God is with us! We shall prevail! Our message of love to change our Country is the right path to take.
May God bless a united and strong Republic of Cameroon!

Riccardo
CAADIM