By Noela EBOB BISONG
Lawyers, great number of lawyers thronged in to Limbe on Wednesday, July 2, to witness the campaign launch of Barrister Asoh Ebi Epey, as he guns for a place at the Cameroon Bar Council.
Braving the heavy rains, a cross – generation of legal minds across Limbe, Fako Division, the South West region and beyond came in to support the independent candidacy of Barr Asoh Epey, tagged The intergenerational voice.
Setting the ball rolling, the president of Fako Lawyers Association – FAKLA, Barr Nouveliza Eta-Besong, referring to the great numbers present told Barr Asoh Epey that, “I can now move with a fuller chest, seeing what you have pulled out here today”. Being very optimistic that Barr Epey has already secured a place at The Bar even before the elections billed for July 14, the FAKLA president cautioned her peers to put the association’s interest ahead, by voting for all six candidates from FAKLA, whom she prided all have the needed qualities to transform The Bar Council.
In his intervention, Barr Moki Thomas spoke on Barr Epey’s relationship with older lawyers, which he described as respectful and responsible. Describing Epey as a groundbreaker, Barr Moki said, “He never downplays junior colleagues nor overlooks senior colleagues… He has kept a cordial/friendship relationship with colleagues… “, he stated.
When he mounted the rostrum, a passionate Mayor Barr Nseke Luma Dibotti, one who together with Epey started their legal journey at Liberty Law Firm in Mutengene under the tutelage of Late Barr Bonu Innocent, announced that, ” If you passed through Liberty Law Firm, you have been marshalled”, he said, as he paid homage to the memory of Barr Bonu Innocent. Describing Barr Epey as a man of resilience, perseverance, endurance etc, from a humble beginning, he said, “From our days in Liberty Law Firm, Barr Epey stood out, he stood out as a leader”. Urging all to throw their weight behind Epey, Nseke said the former’s presence at The Bar willl be very impactful. “You will not have a hand-clapper but a collaborator and true contributor. This is the Obama of our times… He has taken Fako by storm”, Nseke said. Making reference to the crowd present, Barr Nseke said, “You will not see this anywhere”.
Barr Epey was also honoured by the presence of his promotional batch mates of the 2011 Ngongo Ottou batch from Yaoundé who described him as a lion. “When he sayssays Yes, it’s yes and No is no… He is a man of integrity… He breaks barriers and is building bridges for the sustenance of the profession… He merits a place at The Bar”, the representative, Njoko Jean echoed, assuring Barr Epey of their support.
Presenting the man of the moment, Barr Nkongho Felix Agbor (Agbor Balla) told his story with Barr Asoh Epey, describing him as very serviceable, a coordinator, extremely reliable and loyal, trustworthy, fearless and one with an independent mind. “The Bar has to stand; we have to reawaken The Bar; You need an Epey at The Bar; Epey is of added value to The Bar; The Bar will be richer, more exciting, wonderful if you have Epey as a member”, he emphasised.
To Barr Epey specifically, Barr Nkongho cautioned him to up his game ahead of the election. “Improve everything you are doing; talk to everyone, build bridges…”.
To FAKLA, Barr Nkongho said, ” Please, please, we have to ensure that we support Epey and our candidates… This issue of camps should not be for us FAKLA.”
Enters the man of the moment
When the moment came for Barr Asoh Ebi Epey to address the crowd, as he presses for a place amongst the 15 Bar Council Members, he outrightly declared, “I Asoh Ebi Epey, I am ready, willing, and capable to deliver”, which was met with a thunderous applause. He continued that, “I am born to serve”, he said, enumerating his services in the profession and FAKLA. “I served my association selflessly; I brought order into the management of FAKLA, I want to bring order in The Bar”, he said.
Emphasising on participatory leadership (bottom – up approach), Epey said, “Put me in The Bar and you will understand what responsible leadership is”.
Outlining several challenges currently faced within the legal circle in Cameroon notably tribalism, language barriers, and hate, Epey said, “I am a builder… Gentlemen, join me let’s break these barriers and build bridges.”
The Legal Mind also said, “This is my story – From nothing to something, I represent hope. No godfather, no riches anywhere, today I am where I am… I represent hope to every ordinary lawyer with a dream… It is my time to get into The Bar and no one can take it from me”, he concluded, while offering two minutes each for other candidates present to do their campaigns.
This saw a host of other candidates within and out of the South West present their candidatures, including such as Barristers John Kameni, Emmanuel Nkea, Edward Ewule Lyonga etc.
The vibrant Barr Asoh Ebi Epey of Peace Law Firm Limbe, is the immediate past president of Fako Lawyers Association (FAKLA), where he served two consecutive terms with noted strides. Prior to becoming president, he had served as Public Relations Officer and Financial Secretary of the association.
He says if elected Bar Council Member, he will among other things, promote the welfare and professional development of lawyers, encourage inclusive governance, strengthen transparency and accountability and position the Bar as a bold and credible voice on national legal and societal matters.