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Anglophone Separatist Leaders' Trial: Court Adjourns Hearing Over Incomplete Judicial Panel

Par Kimeng Hilton
21 Aug 2026 14:23
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Mr. Justice Nganteu Richard of the Centre Regional Court of Appeal took the decision on August 20, 2026 soon after the matter was called up for hearing.

The Court of Appeal for the Centre Region sitting in Yaounde on Thursday, August 20, 2026, adjourned the appeal trial of 10 Anglophone Cameroon separatist leaders to September 17, 2026. The hearing before the Military Bench of the court's Criminal Section was stalled shortly after it began due to an improperly constituted panel of judges and procedural challenges.

The presiding judge, Mr. Justice Nganteu Richard, announced the postponement after defense counsel raised critical objections regarding the incomplete composition of the bench. And the State’s failure to serve legal summonses to the appellants.

The Appellants

The 10 appellants - Ayuk Tabe Julius, Dr. Njikimbi Kwanga Cornelius, Prof. Egbe Ogork Ntui, Barrister Eyambe Ebai Elias, Dr. Fidelis Ndeh Che, Prof. Kimeng Henry Tata, Dr. Nfor Ngala Nfor, Prof. Che Augustine Awasum, Barrister Shufai Blaise Sevidzem Berinyuy, and Tassang Wilfred Fombang - arrived in the courtroom from the Kondengui, Yaounde Principal Prison at 8:45 am. The panel of judges convened at 9:45 am. After dealing with other matters, the court called up the case involving the Anglophone leaders.

Defence’s Observations

Defense counsel Barrister Fru Joseph presented a strong observation to the court, questioning why the panel remained incomplete for a third consecutive sitting despite being led by a senior magistrate. Under legal rules, he argued, the panel ought to be fully constituted with three judges alongside military assessors.

Absence Of Summons

Barrister Fru Joseph also drew attention to the lack of proper legal notice. While the State issued extraction/production warrants to transfer the detainees from Kondengui Principal Prison to court, official summonses were never served to the appellants.

Statutory provisions require summonses to be delivered at least five days prior to a hearing to allow adequate preparation. The detainees were only notified verbally by prison authorities the evening before the trial,’ one of the counsel to the appellants argued.

Most Lawyers Absent

Due to the lack of timely notification, two-thirds of the defense legal team - primarily based in Bamenda (North West Region) and Buea (South West Region) - were absent, the counsel pointed out. Out of nearly 30 defense lawyers, only seven resident in Yaounde were able to appear on short notice.

Speaking to the media after the adjournment, defense representatives said the late notice undermines fair trial guarantees. Mr. Justice Nganteu Richard adjourned the matter to September 17, 2026, without addressing the defense’s questions on the panel's composition.