Arbitrary arrest and detention:

Ayah Paul sues Cameroon gov’t, claims Fcfa 100bn

Ayah Paul paid a visit Friday to Anglophone activists in Kondengui

The Popular Action Party PAP has issued a release concerning the release of its president, Justice Ayah Paul Abine (retired). According to the release signed by the party’s General Secretary, Akoson Raymond, PAP has seized the African Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms over the arbitrary, abusive arrest and detention of its President, Justice Ayah Paul Abine, by the State of Cameroon. PAP is claiming the Cameroon government FCFA 100 billion as damages for the injustices suffered by its President.

                The party has also suggested the following if the Cameroon government must come out of the present impasse in the two Anglophone regions: the release of all persons still imprisoned in connection to the Anglophone crisis; payment of compensation to families who have lost members during the crisis; permit the return of all those who exiled themselves because of the crisis; rapidly demilitarize the two Anglophone regions and the convening of an all-inclusive, frank and genuine dialogue.

                Formerly known as Peoples’ Action Party, PAP in June 2016 became the Popular Action Party with Justice Ayah Paul as its pioneer president.

                A former Parliamentarian under the ruling CPDM party, Ayah Paul later resigned from the CPDM to contest in the Presidential Election in 2011 under the PAP. He claimed 61,158 of the votes cast, occupying the fifth position out of a total 21 candidates.

                Ayah Paul was later called back to the Magistracy and raised to the position of Advocate General of the Supreme Court. He served in that capacity until his surprise abduction and detention by agents of the Cameroon military. Though it was understood that Ayah’s arrest was in connection to his avowed position on the raging crisis in Anglophone Cameroon, he was however not charged until he left the secondary prison situate at the National Gendarmerie Headquarters here.

                It is no surprise therefore that the legal guru sues the Cameroon government for illegal, abusive, arbitrary arrest and detention.

                Since his release from detention Ayah has remained silent, preferring to give more time to redeeming his health that became fragile due to the poor conditions of his detention.

                Though retired, Ayah is claiming many months of unpaid salaries and allowances from the Cameroon government.

                Yet, as we were preparing to go to press yesterday we learnt that Ayah paid a visit to Anglophone detainees in the Kongengui Prison on Friday. He took along with him food items, medicated soaps, tooth paste and money to share out to the detainees, we learnt.

                Ayah’s visit was under the banner of his foundation, Justice For All.