2 Lawyers, 21 Others Perish In Road Crash

By Ernest Sumelong

Two Fako-based lawyers, Emmanuel Ambilichu and David Oben Nkongho, died alongside 21 other passengers in a ghastly road accident late Saturday night, October 27, in Njombe, Mungo Division of the Littoral Province.

   

   Ambilichu        Therese Eta           Oben 

Also reported dead were Mrs. Theresia Eta-Besong, Jnr., Mrs. Marie Forcha and Sophie Oben, wives of Barristers Eta-Besong Jnr., Gallus Forcha and Oben Nkongho respectively.
26 others were severely injured in the accident and are receiving medical attention in various hospitals in Njombe and Douala.

After the accident, the victims were first conveyed to a hospital in Njombe where the corpses were identified, while survivors were being attended to, according to official sources.All five bodies of the two lawyers from Fako and their wives were ferried to the Buea Hospital Mortuary and the Limbe Provincial Hospital for preservation.

Limbe based Lawyer and current President of Fako Lawyers Association, FAKLA, Francis Bache, the wife of Barrister Justice Ebah Ntoko, Brenda,  that of Barrister Gilbert Tangunyi, Grace, Mrs Beatrice Loh, wife of Barrister Loh, Mrs Biame, Mrs Yedga and Mrs Ndenecho were initially taken to the intensive care unit of the Limbe Provincial and Buea Provincial Hospital Annex respectively.

But as at midday yesterday, an ambulance was on standby at the Limbe hospital to have the victims transferred to Douala for more specialised attention.According to Barrister Innocent Bonu, the lawyers from Fako were returning from Bangem where they buried a fallen colleague, Barrister Charly Sone, of Ebudewa Chambers, Limbe, who died more than a fortnight ago.

"When we left Bangem, we passed through Tombel to Loum. On our way, we discovered that one of our cars… because we had two buses and my car, had a persistent problem. Because of this, I had to accompany the car with the problem ahead of the other bus.

When we reached Mutengene, I tried in vain to reach any of those on the other bus but I thought they were out of network. About 25 minutes later, I tried again and decided to go and check what the matter was. This time, I had a call from Mrs. Yedga who told me they had an accident at Njombe," Bonu said.

Bonu said an officer at the disaster site told him that a coaster bus that belongs to SIKA Voyage missed track, while avoiding to knock down a bike rider, hit a Hiace bus on its right before hitting the bus on its left, which carried the unfortunate victims.

"At about 3am, I made arrangements for the corpses to be brought to the Buea Mortuary. For those that were injured, the Cameroon Bar Association provided two ambulances to bring them over to the Limbe Provincial Hospital. I counted 23 corpses and five of them belong to us," Bonu pursued.

Njombe sources have attributed the accident to excessive speed, especially a 30-seater coaster bus belonging to SIKA Voyages that reportedly hit two 19-seater buses.A lady of one of the affected buses, who spoke to a local radio station hours after the incident, said the driver of her bus was in excess speed.

Crowd wails as bodies of victims were brought to Buea mortuary

"After I boarded the bus in Loum, I began to pray because the driver drove with a terrible speed; everybody was afraid that something might happen," she said.The Post learnt that the wives of the lawyers, who accompanied their husbands to their colleague's burial, were together in a bus they hired for the trip. Also, some lawyers who did not find space in the other vehicles joined the women in the ill-fated bus.

When The Post visited the Limbe Provincial Hospital, the hospital staff relentlessly attended to some of the injured victims, while the Southwest representative of the Bar President, Innocent Bonu, alongside other lawyers made frantic efforts to evacuate some serious cases to Douala.

The tragedy is coming in the wake of a series of deaths recorded within the fold Buea and Limbe based lawyers.Among the survivors was a six-month-old child whose mother is yet to be identified. After a crisis meeting held on Sunday with Njombe health authorities, Public Health Minister instructed that survivors should be taken to the Douala General Hospital or any Reference hospital in Douala for medical attention.

Recently, another accident reportedly occurred along the Bangante road where 15 people died. Road accidents along the major highways in the country have been attributed to excessive speed and the bad nature of the roads. Most drivers seem to have ignored calls by authorities in the Ministry of Transport for them to avoid excessive speed on high ways.

Many have pointed fingers to the approaching December, a month, most consider as a period of fatal accidents and other calamities.A rather bright Sunday morning in Buea turned rainy and stormy, suggestively, to mourn the departed lawyers and some of their spouses.

That morning, a mammoth crowd thronged the Buea Hospital mortuary to see for themselves the tragedy that has befallen their lawyers. Many people in Buea commented that  the accident was reminiscent of what happened to Drs Bate Besong and Hilarius Ambe and Kwaesen Ngwangwa'a along the Edea-Yaounde road early this year.

As this reporter strolled into the Limbe Provincial Hospital he overheard one of the many people who came to see the injured victims saying: "Our finest grains are being killed by our unsafe roads."

Comments

[Anointed]

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life".

Our Father, who art in heaven
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Our Heavenly father king of glory you say there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in your son Christ Jesus who walk in the spirit but not in the flesh. Father we are begging that you wipe away our sins, cleanse us and to provide a place for the holy spirit to dwell in us so that we may be able to know and do the things of the Lord. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace through the mercy of God and may He the almighty God grant healing and a quick recovery to those injured in Jesus' mighty name. Amen

[christain]

If great measures are not taken very fast,then we could be expecting more stories.The collection of 500frs from bus and taxi drivers has been one of the measure cause of road accident in Cameroon in that,the drivers will always speed up so as to cover the money collected from them by the police and the other forces.Please serious maesures should be taken against this expecially as we are entering this december.The life of each citizen is very important.Lets have feelings.Police and gerndarms stop your huge appitide for money.
Another cause is that of bad road.Please the government should have pitty on this issues

[Fon]

What a chilly story? May the souls of the departed rest in peace.

[Elvovo South Africa]

Oh! Yahweh have mercy on us. Last week i was chatting with a friend and Brother on yahoo mesenger and we were lamenting on the stead of our roads by home, and today it has happened.

May our Good God heal and keep safe the survivors. Amen

[simplice]

"The collection of 500frs from bus and taxi drivers has been one of the measure cause of road accident in Cameroon in that,the drivers will always speed up so as to cover the money collected from them by the police and the other forces" by Christian

Mr Christian, what is you replaced the "will always" with may?. One how question. And what about drivers licences illlegally obtained in Cameroon?.

[Prince Larry Ayamba]

May their souls Rest in Perfect Peace.

The million $ question is, why did THEY have to use that route in order to burry their colleague in Bangem ?????

Southern Cameroonians WAKE UP. The only thing we should fear is fear itself. After the accident that recently took away the life of BB and co, today, it has touched those of the Nobel profession. Why should we always have to leave the Southern Cameroons to travel through La Republique du Cameroun to go to our villages in the Southern Cameroons? Southern Cameroonians will always be considered « ANGLOFOOLS » as the frogs have always described us.

Just as Atsebom Forminyen of the SCYL puts it after the October 2007 Independence celebrations ‘Our appeals to the consciences of the Southern Cameroons people will shift from paying taxes and being exploited to reading the handwriting on the wall that Hezbollah, Hamas, the boys in the Niger Delta are not stupid’

God Save the Southern Cameroons

Prince Lawrence AYAMBA
Sec of State
SC Interim Gov't

[Jimmy Stan]

may the souls of all those departed rest in perfect peace, i understand in some cases the lawyers died with their wifes. May almighty God grant them eternal rest. Lord on to thy we comment our spirit have mercy on us all and especially to the departed ones.

[simplice]

Prince Ayamba, you're welcomed to our fold. Please don't be quick to leave as you'll have to address my concerns we've been wrestling with on this forum. Mr Watesih, USAfica, Fon, this is the moment of truth ;over to you.

[besong fitts]

I'm shock and sad to read the death of Lawyer AMBILICHU and others. AMBILICHU was a classmate in the Fac. of Laws University of Y'de. My condolence to the families of the victims. Until something is done to the poor state of roads in Cameroon, W'll continue to have these tradegies.

[besong fitts]

I'm shock and sad to read the death of Lawyer AMBILICHU and others. AMBILICHU was a classmate in the Fac. of Laws University of Y'de. My condolence to the families of the victims. Until something is done to the poor state of roads in Cameroon, W'll continue to have these tradegies.

[Shalom]

What a sad story. God have mercy. The future of our beloved country greatly compromised by this loss.
But how many of these accidents will occur before some measures are taken? If some of these reckless companies that recruit and use reckless drivers were sued for compensation of the victims once or twice, they will either be forced out of business or forced to be careful whom they use as driver. Let the bar council members not let this rest. This is one too much. Sue and have all the families compensated.
My Condolences to all the afflicted

[simplice]

Prince Larry Ayamba,
I have a question to ask of you. Why has the Southern Cameroons an interim gov't abroad?. Please forumnites will like to have an answer to it.

[Akoson]

May the souls of the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in perfect peace. AMEN

[katakata]

This is sad indeed.

How many more heds must roll before the state takes its responsibility to tar the roads from the toll gate proceeds collected over the years?

Why would one go to Bangem via the littoral Province if it wasnt for the purpose of dodging from the bumpy Buea-Kumba road ?

Until a royal prince and his whole train would die on these roads, nobody will do anything.

My condolences to all the families, especially to those children who lost both parents on same day..

Its sad..

Katakata

[M Nje]

God Bless their Souls.

How many more of our brightest and energetic Sons and Daughters are we willing to sacrifice on the highways of La Republique Du Cameroun before we come to our senses. Who is next? It is even becoming hard to keep track of the number of our people we have lost on these roads especially Douala Yaounde.

When are we Southern Cameroonians going to stand up and realize that this is one of the prices we are paying for our continuous involvement in this illegal Union with La Republique Du Cameroun. This is a chaotic and dysfunctional country. Recently, Dr. Bate Besong lost his life because he had to travel through very dangerous roads to a foreign land for a visa. Many more of our people continue to use these roads everyday. Why do our people have to take these unsaved roads just to get to Bangem. WHY, WHY, WHY, and WHY.

La Republique Du Cameroun is a country that is dysfunctional and has no regard for the public safety of taxpayers. The police force is completely corrupt, no emergence response system, and roads that were designed for very few users have not been adopted to meet the increasing population. There is a total lack of interest in the security of the public. One cannot call the security officers for help in case of an attack in the middle of the night. Individual are left on their own. Is this what we want for our next generation?

God help the families of these individuals.

[Akoson]

Breaking news: Biya still has some thirst for the presidency...sauys willing to meet Fru Ndi in his village.

Excerpts of President Biya's Interview on France 24.

During his recent visit to Paris, the usually media-shy Paul Biya gave a rare 40-minute interview to the French international cable network France 24. He discussed a wide range of issues from the Biya_france24 2011 elections, to his relations with opposition leader John Fru Ndi, corruption, his successor, and the repatriation of the corpse of former President Ahmadou Ahidjo who is buried in Dakar, Senegal.

The interview which was conducted by Ulysse Gosset was broadcast this evening on Le Talk De Paris. Viewers and interested parties around the world had the opportunity to send in their questions prior to the interview.

This was President Biya's first interview in France since his stormy 1990 interview with the late Yves Mourousi on Radio Monte Carlo.

Here are choice excerpts from the interview (Mr. Dibussi's unofficial translation):

On whether he intends to run for a third term.

The 2011 elections will definitely take place but I consider them distant. I have a seven-year mandate, half of which I have already completed. Presently, we have other priorities and the constitution does not permit me to run for a 3rd term. That said, we have other immediate issues: the fight against corruption, AIDS and poverty, stability in the Central African sub-region. Therefore, I think that these questions about the 2001 elections are premature...

Cameroon has other problems to resolve, but I leave it up to those who want to launch this debate. There are some people who say that the president should take part in the [2011] elections for continuity. I'll allow the debate take place, but for now the constitution does not allow me to run for a third term. I also know that the constitution is not etched in stone. The people will decide what is good for them. So we are listening, however, I urge my compatriots to focus on more urgent tasks.

On not having a political successor or heir

We have made all these efforts to establish a democracy. When the time comes, there will be candidates. The idea of preparing someone (to take over) is a practice common to monarchies and oligarchies. Cameroonians are mature and they will choose when the time comes… the term "heir" does not resonate well in a Republic.

On President Sarkozy's controversial Dakar speech.

I listened to the speech. I think that it should be read and reread... Some considered it to be colonialist and others racist, while the South African President said: "Not at all, it is a good speech".

My opinion is closer to that of the South African President... I think that this speech marks a milestone and a new era of cooperation between France and Africa. This speech was meant for adults. What I retained from it was that Africans have to stop complaining about the colonial past and colonial alienation, that they should take full charge of their double heritage: their African heritage - which is theirs and is inborn - and what they acquired through contact with the West, and that they should turn towards the future.

On the repatriation of Ahidjo's corpse to Cameroon.

The repatriation of the former President’s corpse is a family matter in my opinion.
I have no objections and I would like to point out that his son is a member of parliament. I don't have any problem with the family of my predecessor; his sons and daughters come and go as they wish without being bothered. The decision to repatriate President Ahidjo’s corpse or not depends on his family. I have no objections or comments to make in that regard.

On a possible meeting with John Fru Ndi

It is true that we've never met. We once agreed to meet and he decided that the meeting should take place in the village, my village, which is not very far from Yaounde. He did not show up at the last minute... I am willing to meet him.

Culled from www.dibussi.com

The Son

[simplice]

We expect every active member on this forum to fill this condolence register.

[Monono]

Wow, Lord Oh!

Please come to our rescue...this is very sad. May the Lord grant Cameroon and the families of the afflicted the strength to handle such a loss.

May their souls rest in Peace.

Something must be done to better our driving conditions in Cameroon. Not only about the roads, but traffic rules and regulations needs to be enforced. That's the job of the traffic Police...not to be taking bribe from drivers, more traffic signs will help too...

Weah Papa God...help we oh!
In Jesus' name Amen

Mola Monono

[adamsdad]

..the recently tragedy on one of the most dangerous stretches of roads in our motherland is a testament to the legend that ours a government that pays no heed to the voices of its people.Consequently,the result will be, either chaos or man will use his common sense to wither the storm...in the jungle.May the souls of the dearly departed rest in perfect peace.

[Princeayamba]

Hi Simplice,

This is not the right forum for your topic. If you want to discuss this topic, join the various SC forums and let’s take it from there. I’ll gladly give you an answer.

Let’s pay them our last respect - for Christ sake. Don’t you have any pity for the Dead????? We should be mourning the dead instead. Once more, MAY THE SOULS OF OUR DEPARTED REST IN PERFECT PEACE.

Mr Nje, thanks for raising the same questions as I did.

Mola Monono, your prayer really touched me.

"You may chain a man, but you will not chain his mind; you may enslave him, but you will not conquer his spirit; you may maintain the people in bondage by force, but sooner or later, their anger and frustration becomes so great that force cannot contain it. Then the edifice cracks, the mortar crumble." Ntumazah

[red flag]

simplice is a newcomer agent of la republique, his father is from la republique western province ,soo like most
of his compartriots who are anti-southern cameroons independence war, he is just exercising his natural right to hate for
southern cameroons rightful war for independence, even as he havent done any research, with thousands of facts, photos,
documentary, he just keep beeing in denial and asking blind mans questions as statistics, why has the interim govt not in cameroun(french) as though he doesnt see , that southern cameroons is washed with la french-negroes armed criminals called gerdames.police and army.
just as ANC, SWAPO, ETC, ALL HAD THE INTERIM GOVT ABROAD SOO. I SEE NOTHING NEW
JUST WAIT WHEN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY BECAME MORE AWARE OF THE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY OF THESE FRENCH-NEGRO REPUBLI AGAINST ARMLESS AFRICANS ( 7M SOUTHERN CAMEROONINANS ) RIGHT ON THEIR GOD GIVEN LAND,THEN ALL THIS BLINNESS OF THE SIMPLILIKE WOULD CEASE. OR SIMPLY WHEN BOMBS START EXPLODING IN LOUIS EYAYA,KOUMPSSA ISSA, AND JEAN FILS , AND PANJOUGO HOMES, THEN ALL THESE DIRTY NAKED ILLETRATE FRENCH -NEGROES WILL START PACKING.FROM SOUTHERN CAMEROONS.

[AngloCameroonian]

RIP!!!
Accidents do happen but fatal in africa and in Cameroon in particular due to the poor roads, overcrowded vehicles and reckless driving.

What strikes me most is the fact that Limbe perhaps other cities lack intensive care units and have to send patients to Douala.

A patient can die on the way to the hospital given the distance, poor transport facility and the heavy traffic congestion in Douala.

Its a shame because these are necessities and what politicians in the west use to woe voters...improved health care!

In Cameroon it's T-shirts, 500F and promises to appoint son's of the soil to ministerial or government positions.
We've got a long way to go.....

[Princeayamba]

Hi Simplice,

This is not the right forum for your topic. If you want to discuss this topic, join the various SC forums and let’s take it from there. I’ll gladly give you an answer.

Let’s pay them our last respect - for Christ sake. Don’t you have any pity for the Dead????? We should be mourning the dead instead. Once more, MAY THE SOULS OF OUR DEPARTED REST IN PERFECT PEACE.

Mr Nje, thanks for raising the same questions as I did.

Mola Monono, your prayer really touched me.

"You may chain a man, but you will not chain his mind; you may enslave him, but you will not conquer his spirit; you may maintain the people in bondage by force, but sooner or later, their anger and frustration becomes so great that force cannot contain it. Then the edifice cracks, the mortar crumble." Ntumazah

Prince Lawrence AYAMBA
Sec of State
SC Interim Gov't