Anglophone crisis:

It is crazy and foolhardy to bring suit against Bishops

-Barrister AkereMuna

-B’da Court bows to pressure, postpones case against sine die

By Nestor Njodzefe in Bamenda

Catholic Bishops say they are ready to defend themselves

The Mezam High Court has postponed to a yet to be announced date the case pitting some Roman Catholic Bishops, and Principals against the ‘Consortium of Parents’ initially programmed at the Bamenda Court of First Instance on April 21, 2017.

                An announcement from the Court April 19, 2017 said due to the fact that they are bereaved and will be accompanying one of their colleagues, late Magistrate Kilbat Noel to his ‘Journey of no return’ on that day, there shall be no court case as a result.

                The announcement read in the St. Joseph’s metropolitan Cathedral on April 19, advised litigants and interested parties to consult the notice board of the court for the next hearing date.

                While reacting to the announcement in Church, Archbishop Cornelius FontemEsua prayed the matter to take place soon because once charged to court it is good to be tried and convicted or acquitted stressing that justice delayed is justice denied. 

                The Archdiocesan director of Communication, Reverend Father Humphrey TatahMbuy in another announcement also dissociated Catholic Archdiocesan Parent Teachers’ Association, PTA from the Consortium of parents whose individuals claim to talk on behalf of the parents of the Catholic institutions of learning. The disclaimer is signed by Richard Ndeh, Salla Ernest, MrsVictorineChamba, Prof. Simon TatahNgenge and NdoforCalembaa.

                The Bamenda court handed seven counts in the  summons to the defendants, the complainant is accusing the catholic clergy men of failing to ask parents to send their children to school despite collecting school fees from them, causing confusion and persistently refraining from performing duties which are to teach children which according to the State is an offense contrary to and punishable under section 151 of the Penal Code and the Civil Claimant is therefore claiming the sum of 150.000.000 FCF5, One Hundred and Fifty Millions Francs CFA for special and general damages from the Catholic Church which is the employer of the accused.

                In another release through his legal Counsel, one retired Colonel Tamabang says he is not part of the said Consortium of Parents which dragged some Catholic Bishops to court. The communique says, "Our Client retired Colonel Tamabang Simon NCHE wishes to state publicly and categorically that he is not connected in any way to the so called CONSORTIUM OF PARENTS. He has never contacted any lawyer or bailiff to initiate court action against the above mentioned servants of Gods."

                It is not immediately known if the court will produce another Col. Tamabang when hearing of the case will eventually be programmed.

                Reacting to the summons from the court, Barrister AkereMuna said on social media: “I have just read the direct summons against the Bishops and I hasten to say I am distraught for my country. This is happening during Easter, and barely a month after the Pope hosted President Biya at the Vatican.They might well have added Jesus and the Pope to the suit!

Akere questioned what legality the so called Consortium of Parents has as to sue Bishops. He concluded that because the suit by the said Consortium has no wings, it will no be able to fly. He wondered how some people could be so crazy, and foolhardy as to go searching for a gas leak using lit gas lighter.

                “Is it the design of some people to set this country ablaze? Wondered the iconic Barrister of world acclaim and renown.