DOUALA COURT ROOM: POLICE TEARGAS LAWYERS

Two Lawyers of the Cameroon Bar Association resident in Douala are being accused of contempt on a magistrate and attempted corruption. They were remanded in prison custody on the 9th of November 2020 at the New Bell Central Prison of Douala.

Their first appearance before the Court of First Instance in Douala-Bonanjo was scheduled on the 10th November 2020 but On the said occasion, lawyers mobilized in large numbers in show of solidarity to their colleagues and filed in an Application for Bail for their colleagues in accordance with the provisions of the Cameroon Criminal Procedure Code. After several plead from the lawyers for the defense and the State prosecutors, the Presiding judge in charge of the case scheduled the matter to the 25th of November 2020 for ruling on the Application for Bail that was submitted by the Defense counsels which angered more than 300 lawyers present in the Court who were rather expecting a short notice.

A source explains that, "Some two Lawyers were alleged to have collected money from clients to bribe their way in a trial which didn’t worked the way the client had been assured by these Lawyers. Unsatisfied with the way the court case went, these client raised an alarm and the chief judge decided to commit these lawyers for a trial in court.

Meanwhile, The Cameroon Bar Council Condemns the Military Brutality of their Colleagues in Bonanjo-Douala. The collective of Lawyers learned on Tuesday that security forces violated the laws related to the proper use of firearms during the maintainace of law and order as they fired tear gas which injured lawyers. The collective, which haven’t recovered from the humiliation suffered by its members during acts of assistance to their clients, condemns any intrusion by the armed force, or police, under whatsoever circumstances within the court premises coming under the judicial order.

Developing story, stay tune for more details.