Violence in NW & SW Regions:Consolidating Cases Under Examination

 Ruling on it is slated for April 7 while the substantive matter will be heard on April 27, 2017

The Yaounde Military Tribunal is currently deliberating on whether or not to consolidate two different cases pitting alleged perpetrators of violence in the North West and South West Regions against the State of Cameroon. State Prosecutor yesterday March 23, 2017 presented an appeal that two different cases appearing similar be consolidated (joined) so as to ease cross-examination.
The cases in question concerned some 25 youth arrested in the North West and South West Regions on counts of complicity in acts of terrorism, hostility against the fatherland, rebellion et al. Yesterday was the first time the accused were appearing in court. But the State Prosecutor, Nzie Pierrot Narcisse, going by his request presented to the presiding judge, President of the Military Tribunal, Abega Mbezoa epse Eko Eko, explained that the case could be joined with that of three others. That of Mancho Bibixy alias BBC, Fontem Aforteka’a Neba and Nkongho Felix Agbor, considered by court sources as alleged leaders of the violence.  This group had already appeared in court on February 13, 2017, were notified of their charges and both pleaded non-guilty and the court adjourned the hearing for yesterday March 23 for the State Prosecutor to produce witnesses.
The defence bench led by Barrister Bernard Muna yesterday appeared at a loss on how cases committed by different people on different dates and in different venues could be consolidated. Reason why they requested for a 30-minute break at 1:05 pm, almost an hour and half into the hearing, to better concert. When hearing resumed at 1:55 pm, they took turns to legally justify the non-compatibility of the cases, praying the court to reject the request.  They said they were coming yesterday to see and hear witnesses against their clients and could not understand how an old case could be joined with a new one and how different people who committed crimes on different da...