Cameroon: Douala Court frees two detained lawyers as pressure mount from Cameroon Bar Association
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The two Cameroonian Lawyers, TAMFU NGARKA and TCHUENMENGNE KEMMEGNE have been release from the New Bell Prison. They were freed after serious campaign from human rights activists, Civil Society Organizations and colleagues in the profession. Adding to the pressure from the Cameroon Bar Association, supported by the African Bar Association, the protest, called by the Cameron Bar as from the 30th of November to the 4th of November still holds.
In attendance of more than 100 lawyers, Barrister Tamfu Ngarka Richard and Maitre Tchuenmegne Kenmegne, Cameroonian lawyers arrested and detained on flimsy charges including insulting the magistrate were released today 23 Nov. 2020. Their released follows a six months suspended sentences with a fine of a hundred thousand francs CFA each. Accordingly, if they commit similar crime within the period of three year and they are sentence, they will still serve an additional six months because of this six month suspended sentence.
The suspended verdicts according to some lawyers, including Barrister Nkea Emmanuel, Amungwa Nicodemus, is a dishonour to the legal profession. It is worthy to note that these rulings can appeal within ten days in the Cameroon Court of Appeal. A battalion of lawyers including Barrister Agbor Nkongho, Cameroonian Human Rights defender were present during the court hearing.
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
