By WIFAH JENNYHANS NDE
Prior to the court case between the Archbishop of Bamenda Ecclesiastical province and a certain Consortium of Parents that was billed for Monday June 5, 2017, the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Songa Rene Piere signed an administrative order No. 0305/PO/A.26/PS/04/06/17 of June 4, 2017 banning all public demonstrations in Bamenda for June 5th only. This order unfortunately met with a rather stubborn and fanatic Christians march mobilised massively around the Finance Junction of Bamenda to accompany these church leaders to court.
As early as 8am on Monday June 5, 2017, a swam of Christians armed with bibles, rosaries and peace plants led by a convoy of bike riders marched to Up Station while singing gospel songs of victory in complete defiance to the SDO’s ban.
Despite the stiff resistance they met with the elements of forces of law and order, some smart fanatics got themselves into the court premises pretty earlier before the confrontation at Finance Junction.
Even though the case at Court of First Instance in Bamenda was adjourned for July 24, 2017 as was requested by Barrister Achu Julius, counsel for the plaintiff, there was however some drama at the court premises.
The counsel for the defense, led by Barrister Sama, challenged the court to throw out the case since the plaintiffss were absent with no justification. But the judge stated that they applied for an adjournment where Barrister Sama argued that an application for an adjournment is not synonymous to a decision of adjournment. This sparked some commotion in the court hall with the huge presence of Christians at the hearing but the intimidating eyes of military offices tamed the roar that was about to spark out.
The judge finally pronounced adjournment for July 24, 2017 but Barrister Sama hastily suggested that it should be moved to August 11 but the judge rejected the proposal. By 11am, the hearing had ended. The auxiliary Archbishop, Mgsr Michael Miabisue Bibi and other clergy returned to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Bamenda accompanied by the huge crowd from Finance Junction passing through Commercial Avenue.
It should be recalled that the plaintiff counsel Barrister Achu Julius had earlier written to the court on June 1, 2017 requesting for an adjournment to a date between 15 and 30 July with claims of ill health and that he intends to make amendments on the direct summons. Sources close to the Archbishop revealed to The SUN that the Archbishop was asked not to go to the court premises on Monday June 5th but the prelate insisted that there was no official notice to them in that regard and so he must go for the hearing.
The Archbishop nonetheless, signed a communiqué on Saturday June 3, 2017 urging Christians to stay calm and remain prayerful in these challenging moments of the church.
In a chat with The SUN, the Senior Divisional officer for Mezam warned that “let those who are creating public disorder and disrespecting administrative instructions keep on but they should be ready for the consequences”.