As Anglophone lawyers swear to protect common law practice and Creation of Law school soon,Francis Sama Asanga, President of the Cameroon Bar Association has hinted that the results of Bar part I exams could be released this week. He said the delay in the release of the results was as a result of the passing unto glory of barrister Innocent Bonu, who played an instrumental role in the organization of the exams.
In his words, “In the days ahead, by law, the results of Bar Part I will be published by an order of the Minister of State, Minister of Justice.” The President of Cameroon’s Bar Association was speaking shortly after the Ordinary General Assembly, Saturday, June 28, organized for the first time in Buea.
He used the occasion to thank the Ministry of Justice and the Bar Association for organizing the Bar Exams in 2014.
According to Barrister Sama, “the results of the Bar part II exams had been long published and the lawyers are already being sworn in, beginning with those of the North, last June 26, in honour of late Barrister Aboubakar. Those of the South West will also be sworn in to honour the memory of late Barrister Innocent Bonu.”
Sama dispelled rumours that the Bar exams were marred by financial corruption scandals. He insisted that the exams were organized in all transparency and fairness.
Reacting to gossips suggesting that he and late Barrister Bonu had opened an account into which candidates who sat the bar exams paid the bribe money, Sama said “If anybody gave a bribe to the late Barrister Bonu or to me, that person should come out publicly and say it.” Sama promised to take legal action against rumour mongers who are trying to assassinate his character.
Bar resolves against appointment of Notaries in SW & NW After the meeting, the President of the Fako Lawyers Association (FAKLA), Barrister Stanislaus Ajong told The Sun that all the lawyers of the Cameroon Bar resolved to resist the appointment of Notaries in the North West and South West Regions.
“The entire Cameroon Bar Association has resolved that no Notaries should be appointed in the North West and South West. We resolved that the profession as exercised by the practicing advocates of these two regions is an ancestral heritage and there is no way any government will attempt to change it as at now. Such a change is not necessary,” Ajong said.
On what will be done if the government decides to act otherwise, Ajong said “it will mean that the government is working against its own people and the consequences will follow.” As for some Anglophone lawyers who had applied to be appointed Notaries, Ajong said they were advised to withdraw and it is not an issue anymore.
Emmanuel Obi Arrey, a Limbe-based advocate expressed satisfaction at the resolutions arrived at during the Bar General Assembly. “We shall continue to practice as advocates and Notaries in this part of the Country,” he said, urging government to respect the views of the lawyers on this matter.
Law School soon Quizzed on the progress made to open a Law School in Cameroon, the Bar President said ‘plans are far advanced’.
“The project of the law school is in place and I must admit that late Barrister Bonu was the representative of the Bar in this big process. His demise will cause some little stalemate, but we are working tooth and nail with the University of Buea and our supervisory ministry to see that that takes place in the nearest future.”
Enter the General Assembly The Ordinary Session of the Bar Association was convened and chaired by Emmanuel Tang, President of the Bureau of the General Assembly of the Bar.
Issues discussed during the meeting included the Presentation of the report of the President of the Cameroon Bar Association, Report from the Auditors, approval of the operating budget of the Bar, and the protection of the rights of the lawyer in the exercise of their professional duties.
Executive and Judicial authorities attended the assembly that was partly sponsored by ChanasAssuraces S.A. The Elective General Assembly of the Bar is expected in November.
