Bar Council: How NW/SW Lawyers Almost Compromised Anglophone Chances

- New Batonier Francis Sama To Meet Laurent Esso: What For?

By Tetuh Mbah

But not of intense politicking in Bamenda a week ago, Francophone lawyers would have secured all key positions of the Cameroon Bar council, even the position of Batonier. Despite the earlier election of Emmanuel Tang and Vivien Nana Patysuit as President and vice of the General Assembly, all Francophones, there was no pretext that an Anglophone would occupy the Batoniership. The chances of the Anglophones were almost compromised by the many candidates, who were vying for the portfolio. And at the end of the day, while Ngnie Kamga, the only Francophone secured 226 votes as second, three Anglophones had their votes divided between Francis Sama (252), Eta Besong Jr. (182) and Charles Njualem with barely 5 votes. Commentators hold that just one Anglophone who stood could have created an alarming situation, following the united vote. However, Barrister Francis Asanga Sama, who carried the day, had since vowed to build up a new/credible Bar Council.

The new Cameroon Bar council elect (Barrister Sama Francis) shortly after his election promised to restore the lost image and credibility of the Bar council. Presenting his mission statement during a press conference in his chambers in Bamenda on Wednesday August 15, 2012, Batonier Sama Francis who regretted that the Bar Council was balkanized for some individuals’ selfish interest, stressed that within his 2-year mandate in office, he was going to ensure that the Bar council is more than united and sponsor in-house training of the lawyers.

Harping on the huge, unpaid dues of the lawyers totaling over 700 million FCFA, the Bar President said some lawyers were not paying their dues because of several reasons. Here him: “Some were not paying their dues because they had no means and largely because of the fact that they saw no projects earmarked to be executed with the dues”. Above all, he opined that others took the pretext of the stalemate the Bar council was going through and decided not to pay their dues.

To mitigate the divide in the Bar council, Sama Francis said shortly after taking over office later this month, his team will pay a courtesy visit to the Minister of Justice to tell him that Cameroon lawyers are against the split of the Bar. “We will remind the minister that we are independent Bar”. He said everything shall be done to respect the independence of the Bar and the law of the Republic of Cameroon.

In a bid to gun for the second mandate, the new Bar President said he would not only bring sanity in the Bar council but will render a succinct account of his stewardship at the end of the first 2-year mandate. He ipso facto pleaded with his colleagues and most especially, the press to allow him work to the end of the 2 years mandate before they start judging or criticizing him although he observed that 2 years will not be enough for him to execute the lofty projects he has in his sleeves for the Bar council.

Ntumfor Given Credit

Barrister Sama Francis took amble time to shower praises on Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle whom he stressed that the elective general assembly of the Bar council succeeded to hold thanks to him. He said after a protracted stalemate, it was Ntumfor who reconciled the 2 organs of the Bar council before the General assembly held in Bamenda recently. ‘We shall forever remain indebted to him”. He said his team will not hesitate to consult Ntumfor when occasion warrants, lashing out at tribalism and ethnic tendencies that characterized the Bar council.

Assuring Cameroonians especially the lawyers that his being an SDF militant will not affect that Bar by way of politicizing it, Sama Francis corrected that he would know how to classify his priorities. “I am first of all a citizen of Cameroon and a lawyer by profession from Baba II village. I will know how to classify my priorities”. He said as a political animal, he will continue to support the SDF but it will not affect the Bar.

Barrister Sama Francis succeeded Barrister Eta Besong Junior, the Senior Advocate of the supreme court of Cameroon who has practiced for more than 30 years. The led the Bar only for one term during which the Bar was marred by a lot of divisions with lawyers owing over FCFA 700 million.

Meanwhile, with Tang Emmanuel and Vivien Nana manning the General Assembly, the actual 15 elected members, forming the order of lawyers include: Sama Francis, Innocent Bonu, Arlette Ngoulla Fotso, Laurette Kamga, Abdoul Bangui Kari, Aboubarkar, Charles Njualem, Jackson Francis Ngnie Kamga. Also, Dominique Nicole Fausse, Charles Patie Tehakomte. Also, Emmanuel Eta Besong Jr., Philippe Olivier Menong, Divine Mboke Nzoh, Joseph Claude Bilingha and Henry Gamseh Kemende. (Turn to editorial on page 8, on: Expectations from New Bar Chairman)