Trial of the year:

Agbor Balla

AgborBalla and Co. to appear before military court today

At least 100 lawyers including 5 Batonniers, have indicated their willingness to join the defense team of the leaders of the now outlawed Consortium.

By Ojong Steven Ayukogem in Yaounde

The Military Tribunal in Yaounde will witness an unusual crowd today, Monday 13 February 2017, when hearing opens on the matter pitting the leaders of the defunct Consortium of Anglophone Civil Societies against the state and people of Cameroon.

                Barrister Nkongho Felix AgborBalla, Dr. FontemNebaAforteka’a and ManchoBibixy, will be brought to court today, from their cells in the Kondengui Prison, to answer to charges of terrorism, rebellion against the state, breach of the constitution, inciting the populations to rise up against the state and its institutions among several other terrorism-related charges.

                Balla and Co. were supposed to have appeared before the Military Judge on 1st February. But the matter was postponed to today.

                Despite the postponement, over 100 lawyers still stormed the premises of the Military Court on that fateful Wednesday. Led by Former Bar Council President, Senior Barrister Bernard AchoMuna, the lawyers said they came to ascertain that the case had been postponed and if so to know the reason for the sudden postponement.

                The lawyers say they are out to defend the leaders of the Consortium, especially the President, AgborBalla, who is one of theirs. It is therefore expected that the men and women in wig and gown, will once again throng the premises of the military tribunal this Monday, as the first hearing is expected to be staged.

                Information reaching our newsroom holds that apart from the lawyers who presented themselves at the court on 1st February, many others have taken interest in the case and have joined the defence team. We hear that the incumbent Batonnier, Jackson GnieKamga has also joined the panel of defense lawyers. Senior Barristers Alice Nkom and TchakountePatie have also joined in, we learned.

                Yet, knowledgeable commentators say it will be an uphill task for the lawyers to fight and obtain freedom for the accused.  Experts say if anything, only a political fiat can free the Consortium leaders, especially if the 2014 law on terrorism is applied to the letter.

                For now, observers only have to keep fingers crossed, while waiting for the men of law to perform their duty, only their duty and nothing but their duty.

                It should be recalled that in one of his press conferences, government spokesman, IssaTchiromaBakari said the government will take all measures to make sure he consortium leaders are treated to a fair and equitable trial.

                As the matter opens today, many have already likened it to the famous case in 1990 that pitted Barrister Yondo Black Mandeng and nine others against the state of Cameroon. Yondo Black was also a lawyer and a one-time Batonnier.