Leocadia Bongben
13 March 2008
The Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals Amadou Ali, has justified the haste with which the 1,671 alleged "authors of dangerous activities, disturbances on public roads and public order" were judged.
The justification was made during a press briefing that held at the conference hall of the Ministry of Justice on March 6.Justifying the speedy judgements when many Cameroonians have been languishing in detention for more than two years without trial, Amadou Ali said, "When evens like these happen, there is need to act fast and stop the disorder."
Quoting the Head of State, Paul Biya, he said Cameroon is a state of law and that solutions can be found to problems through dialogue. He claimed that profound investigations have been conducted.
As stipulated in article 103 and in line with the Criminal Procedure Code, Amadou said out of the 1,671 arrested people, the Littoral had 671, Centre 400, West 280, Northwest 220 and Southwest 100.
Talking about those caught in the act, with objects either in their possession or having traces or indications to have committed an infraction, the Minister said on February 28, 55 persons were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 months to three years and transferred to Ekounou, for dangerous activities, disturbances and degradation of public roads.
In Douala, 49 people were sentenced for a period of between six to two years. 39 were released.In Tombel, two people were either to pay FCFA 50,000 or face six months imprisonment.
For Tiko, Buea, Bamenda, Dschang and Bafang, investigations are still going on. Those convicted, according to Amadou, were charged under section 130 for disturbing public order and section 228 for dangerous activities, section 335 for destruction.
He cited areas like Nkam, Sanaga Maritime, Nde Kounki, six departments in the Southwest including Ndian and Koupe Muanenguba as areas void of disturbances even in the heart of violence.
The Minister said that those arrested were poor and naive vandals sponsored by some persons. He said some were drugged and paid and "will reveal their sponsors" during investigations.
Meanwhile, nothing was said about the death toll and no condolence messages sent to any aggrieved families. But Amadou condemned journalists for exaggerating the situation and frightening diplomats that Cameroon was bloody.
Before the Minister made his entrance to the hall, the moderator of the briefing, Alain Belibi, had hinted journalists that the private press was to ask only one question.Amadou was flanked by the Minister of Communication, Jean Pierre Biyiti Bi Essam, Minister Delegate, Maurice Kamto, and The Secretary of State for Penitentiary, Emmanuel Ngafesson.
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