The Post has learnt from Northwest Province judicial sources that Fon Doh Gah Gwanyin of Balikumbat's lawyers have filed an appeal against the judgement that sentenced him to 15 years in jail. Barrister Peter Asongwe, Fon Doh's lead counsel, confirmed this information but gave no details.

Meanwhile, judicial authorities in Ndop have dismissed the story that Fon Doh had gone on a hunger strike. They argued that it was difficult to determine whether a Fon was on hunger strike or not since they don't eat in public.

The Ndop High Court sentenced Fon Doh Gah Gwanyin and accomplices on Wednesday, April 12, for the murder of John Kohtem, Balikumbat SDF District Chairman, in August 2004.Sympathisers of late Kohtem have praised the Minster of Justice and Keeper of the Seals for "the good job" done by the magistrates and judges in the Northwest Province.

In a letter dated April 15, Pius Lecigah, SDF District Chairman for Balikumbat, talking on behalf of the Balikumbat people, showered the judges who are under the Justice Minister with praises for what they said was objectivity and transparency, manifested during the trial of the Kohtem murder suspects.

"Hon. Minister, the discreet and meticulous trial of this case by your learned Magistrates and Judges, was due to, or coupled with your concerted efforts with your collaborators in the Northwest Provinceâ-oe"

These collaborators, the letter states, are the Governor, Attorney General, Legion Commander of the National Gendarmerie and the learned Judge Justice Damian Ambe, Justices Beatrice Tayong, James Enjeh and Paul Evande, who handled the Preliminary Investigation, PI, and Magistrate James George Ngwene, State Counsel for Ndop.

Lecigah said he was pleased that the rule of Law really prevails in Cameroon.

 

---

Article publié le Friday, April 21, 2006