By Ajongakou Santos in Buea
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| FAKLA lawyers at Tiko D.O's office |
Fako lawyers stormed the office of the Tiko Divisional Officer demanding he apologize for violating the human right of their colleague, Barrister Ashu Samuel Besong. The D.O had locked up Barrister Samuel in his own chambers (Eagles’ Wing Law Office) on May 18, on grounds that, his office was open when the “Keep Tiko Clean Campaign” was underway and that, his office ought to be closed like all others.
After sundry hours in office with secretary and colleague-Barrister Eric Fosack-, Barrister Samuel Besong told The Median that it was thanks to his colleagues that he was released of the oppression at 12:24pm.
The lawyers who had abandoned their various chambers and clients just to demand the D.O’s apology seemed frustrated when the D.O-Patrick Che Ngwashi refused to express regret for what he had done.
Their unhappiness and determination to see justice prevail is what moved them from the D.O’s office to the Tiko Court where Barrister Agbor Balla- FAKLA President- said, they shall commence legal action against the D.O. Balla added that Fako Lawyers will work with the Cameroon Lawyers Association and the Bar Council to see that the D.O’s violation of Barrister Samuel Besong’s rights be addressed in court.
“Never again will he do such a thing”-Barrister Balla said.
According to Barrister Tanguni, the D.O’s action was another test to the Fako Lawyers, insisting it seemed a concerted design to belittle the lawyer. It was also disclosed that a legal team has been set up to fire a legal case against the Tiko D.O. The team headed by Barrister Enoh Benjamin Agbor also includes Barrister Njon Jie Yvette. Deliberations at the Tiko Court saw close to 200 lawyers settle on driving to the Senior Divisional Officer’s office in Limbe.
Discussions at the S.D.O’s office with Barrister Agbor Balla, Barrister Njualem Charles-representative of the Bar president for the South West, the oppressed- Barrister Ashu Samuel Besong and a few others begged for the presence and explanation of the Tiko D.O who soon joined the team in Limbe. At the end of the deliberations, the Fako lawyers were still unsatisfied given that the S.D.O promised to get back to them and the fact that, the D.O was yet to apologize.
Amidst arguments, Barrister Balla- Fako Lawyers president- told the Median that, as early as Monday morning, legal action will commence with charges such as; Forced Imprisonment, violation of human right among others given that the attack is not just to the Fako lawyers but also to the Anglophone lawyers and lawyers across the Cameroon Republic. Fako lawyers insist that the office of a lawyer is inviolable, given that there are certain procedures that must be followed before such action, as the D.O’s is taken.
The overzealous action of the Tiko D.O that has earned him such doom is no strange issue to the lawyers given that it is not the first time such violation was carried out by the same D.O and nothing was done to him, reason why they demand apology. Two years ago (2013), the late Barrister Bonou was as well locked up in office. Even the Tiko Chiefs who apologised on the D.O’s behalf were not listened to due to his denial to accept he was wrong as an authority. This sets the pace for sundry arguments as to whether the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary of the country are supposed to work together or fight each other to see things done the right way.
Fako lawyer have therefore sent the warning to all and sundry, not only to the D.O but also to the Police Officers, Gendarmes, the president of the Court of Appeal and Attorney General that when they trample on the right of lawyers, they will not seat and watch them, but that they are ready to take whosoever to the highest quarters.
The dynamism amongst Anglophone lawyers after their May 9 conference in Bamenda is yet to be quenched reason why the Tiko D.O’s attack and violation of a Barrister’s human right is what they have vowed not to take lightly. “You can’t eat your cake and have it back”.
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