Controversy Looms Over Bail Case of Anglophone Detainees as Trial Resumes Today

All eyes will be on the Presiding Judge at the Yaounde Military Tribunal today as 28 Anglophone detainees head for the docks again.

Colonel Abega Eko Eko Mbazoa is expected to pronounce a ruling on whether Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor Balla and Dr Fontem Neba will be granted bail under judicial supervision as proposed by the prosecuting bench.

Controversy Looms Over Bail Case of Anglophone Detainees as Trial Resumes Today

During the last hearing the judge subscribed to a possible freedom for the leaders of the disbanded Consortium leaders provided conditions for the judicial supervision are met. But the application for bail of the other detainees was refused on grounds that their case was not convincing.

According to section 246 of the criminal procedure code, Balla and Fontem could be requested to fulfill some financial and surety requirements before they are released.

But the granting of judicial supervision to only two of the 28 detainees has been described by the Defense bench as miscarriage of justice since the Balla-Fontem-Mancho case was joint to that of the 26 others. But a Douala based Senior lawyer, Barrister Fru John SOH told Cameroon Concord that it will be impossible for the judge to rule on the matter based on the proposal of the Prosecuting bench. "I don't see a judge granting judicial supervision in the present context, Unless he or she doesn't know the law. It's either the judge grants bail to everybody or refuses bail to everybody." Barrister Fru says

Even more controversial is whether Barrister Agbor Balla and Dr Fontem Neba will accept the ruling based on the present statusquo. The leader of the outlawed Consortium is quoted as insisting on unconditional release for all comrades.

As the case resumes today, we learnt the Defense counsel is poised to make a fresh appeal for bail for the 26 others being tried jointly with the Anglophone leaders.