MPs Angry Over Fon Doh's Appearance In Parliament

By Kini Nsom & Leocadia Bongben

Foh Doh's appearance in the Parliament at the opening of the first ordinary session for 2007, which held on Monday March 5, after being convicted for murdering the late SDF official for Balikumbat, John Kohtem, has stirred anger amongst some MPs.

MPs started grumbling in the House when they saw Fon Doh in his usual dark glasses walk into the hemicycle with an air of confidence. It was the first public appearance after his release on bail by the Northwest Court of Appeal on health reasons.

Given that he had appealed against the Ngoketunjia High Court ruling that sentenced him to 15 years in prison, the Vice Prime Minister in charge of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Amadou Ali, declared in Parliament last December that Fon Doh was still enjoying the principle of presumption of innocence.

Observers now believe that it is the Ministers utterances that gave the controversial MP the courage to come to Parliament. But many MPs took great exception to the fact that Fon Doh was allowed to sit in Parliament again.

Hon. Tasi Tang Lucas, SDF MP, expressed his embarrassment in noticing the ex-convict in Parliament. According to him, this is the greatest shock to have Fon Doh sit with him in Parliament again.

Tasi Tang expressed the wish to withdraw from the Parliament rather than sit with such a person. He stated that the law makes it clear that any person who has been convicted cannot become a Parliamentarian. The MP said once convicted such a person ceases to be a Parliamentarian.

Tasi Tang remarked that Fon Doh's reappearance in Parliament makes nonsense of this Government and portrays it as being callous. He interpreted such a situation to mean that Government was passing a silent message to officials of his party that they can kill opposition militants and go Scot free.

In a terse statement, the UPC MP for the Nyong and Kelle constituency, Charly Gabriel Mbock, said he smells some foul play in the re-emergence of Fon Doh in Parliament.
Hon. Pierre Sende of the UPC, who sits next to Fon Doh in Parliament, recalled that whereas Parliamentary immunity in the 1960s meant prison in areas such as Matum in Bui Division, it is no longer the case presently.

He said the lifting of immunity as interpreted recently in Fon Doh's case meant that he should face the law. Hon. Sende stated that with an appeal Fon Doh remains an MP. He wondered why he should condemn Fon Doh if the law does not. He, however, hinted that he may be manipulating the law.

Hon. Emmanuel Yoyo of the SDF party, for his part, said he would have to investigate the terms of Fon Doh's return to Parliament, as well as his intentions on the elections before taking a stand.

Similarly, Adamou Ndam Njoya of the UDC said he would have to search for what the texts say before commenting. While claiming ignorance of Fon Doh's reappearance in Parliament, he mentioned that if he is in Parliament it means the law allows him.
On his part, Hon. Ayah Paul of the CPDM said he could not comment on the issue for want of time.

In an interview granted CRTV, Fon Doh had claimed that his colleagues were happy to se him in Parliament and welcomed him with excitement. He said his people were urging him to run for another mandate in Parliament.

Earlier on, the session was opened by the oldest MP in the House, Hon. Soundjock Soundjock, who urged colleagues to work for peace and stability for the development of the nation and as well associate the legislature in negotiations with foreign partners.

He urged them to perform their functions with diligence so that they could leave the legislature with a standing ovation as their mandate draws to an end. Serious work during this session would only begin after the MPs would have elected the new bureau of the National Assembly.

It is alleged that the status quo will triumph with incumbent Cavaye Yeguie Djibril calling the shots as the House Speaker.

Comments

[rexon]

Why are all these Biya's handclappers masquerading as MP's animating us here. Come on, who doesnt know that you guys are all paid agents to colour La Republique as a multiparty democracy. When i wrote here that Fon Doh will be freed in due course, some commentators here branded me a pessimist, but here are we seeing thesame Fon Doh in parliament.

[AngloCameroonian]

His fellow MPs were exited! Hmm na wah for you oh fon!
You have lost your respect as fon even to your wife.
Take a look at the others, Mbinlo, Chafa, the dignity and supreme rulers still reigns.
The state is gradually removing your royalties. The red feather is out, SDF has removed the cap. When all is removed you will confess.
Spit on Blair but praise the Queen. Greed and glutiny. Even if the state sets you free, the people and kwifon will not.
I can bet on that.

[Glenn Wilson]

Oh well, when you have a murderer like Paul Biya running the country, I don't see why a murderer like Fon Doh would be out of place in parliment. Do the Ministers think that the suffering caused by their thieving ways, places them any higher than this low life Fon?
Maybe in their eyes, but not in Gods.
Glenn

[TUMASANG]

Fon Doh killer you should be ashamed when appearing in such a place, like the parliament. Even Biya will one day be jailed as was done to SADAM.