Buea, south west region:

UB lecturer faces jail term over land dispute with magistrate
- Synes mobilizes lecturers ahead of court ruling 
By Ajongakou Santos in Buea
Students at the University of Buea are currently writing resit exams, but on the sidelines, the lecturers’ union SYNES is mobilizing ahead of the court ruling on a court action brought against one of their colleagues, Professor Paul Mbufong, by a Judge whose name The Median got as Charles Namme Menyoli. In the case, Justice Menyoli alleges that Professor Mbufong made a false report to the Minister of Justice liable to lead to disciplinary action against the former.
    The teachers are visibly irked by what they believe is an attempt by Justice Menyoli to pervert the course of justice by using his position as Judge. On Friday 18 September 2015, at about 4 pm, The Median learnt that an extraordinary General Assembly of SYNES was holding at U Block on UB campus. Lecturers, we are told, read through a petition addressed to the Chief Magistrate of the Land, carefully checking the documents to be attached, pointing out the flaws in the procedures so far and instances of intimidation Professor Mbufong had suffered since 2005 when Justice Menyoli first dragged him to court. 
    The dons argue that the case against Professor Mbufong is becoming a pattern whereby a judge would send a university lecturer to prison unjustly, simply because he has the power to do so. This time, they are ready to take the case of their colleague to the highest quarters.

Talking to Dr. Fontem Neba, the SYNES UB Scribe, he said, “We respect judges because they are the custodians of the law, and the protectors of the common man. Unfortunately, some individuals in the robe have lost the fear of God and are determined to bring the good name of our judges and the judiciary to disrepute. There are too many unanswered questions in this case; that is why SYNES is taking every step necessary to ensure that the whole truth is brought out. We believe that those who control the judiciary will put an end to this kind of impunity when they realise what has been going on. We must preserve our trust in the justice system.”                                                                                                                                                                                                   
    Another lecturer who spoke on condition of anonymity said that seventeen years ago a military judge had a lecturer Mr. Max Ntangsi sent to prison and his property seized. Up till date, the judge is still occupying the property he never acquired. Lecturers are asking that a thorough investigation of both cases be carried out to determine whether they used their positions to pervert the course of justice.
    Justice Beatrice Nambangi is expected to rule on the matter on Wednesday 23 September 2015. SYNES-UB has scheduled a press conference after the verdict.