Chris Mbunwe
9 May 2008
Territorial Administration and Decentralisation Minister, MINATD, Boss, Marafa Amidou Yaya, CRTV General Manager, Amadou Valmoulke, and Cameroon Tribune's Publisher, Marie Claire Nana, did not show up in Bamenda on Monday, May 5, to answer charges on defamation pressed against them by SDF National Chairman, John Fru Ndi.
The Presiding Magistrate, Anne Afong, said the court was not ready to hear the matter because there were still some procedures to be followed by the complainant. She, therefore, told Fru Ndi's lawyers, led by Barrister Francis Sama, to produce original summons and ensure that they "perfect payment deposit of FCFA 300,000 that is, FCFA 50,000 each for the six defendants Fru Ndi has dragged to court."
Fru Ndi's lead lawyer, Sama, in his submission drew the attention of the court to the fact that all the defendants have failed to show up thereby hindering the matter from effectively taking-off when his client Fru Ndi had to shelve all pre-arranged engagements to be in court. He insisted that all the defendants were properly served by to appear in court and there should be no room for excuses.
Despite the argument advanced by Barrister Anthony Amazee, lead defense counsel to Marafa and others, that not all the defendants were properly served, Magistrate Afong made it clear that Marafa, Valmouke, Marie Nana and others should be present in court come June 2.
"This is a criminal matter and not just anybody will come to represent them because you can earn a jail sentence on their behalf." She was making reference to the Provincial Chief of Cameroon Tribune, Choves Loh, who said he is representing his boss.
An anxious crowd that thronged the premises of Court 1 of the Mezam Magistrate Court in the hope of seeing Minister Marafa in the dock were greatly disappointed.
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