The President of the Cameroon Bar Council, Barrister Francis Sama Asanga, has revealed that results of the Bar Council examinations could not be published before late Barrister Innocent Bonu was laid to rest.
Welcoming the corpse of the fallen law icon at the main hall of the Northwest Court of Appeal in Bamenda, Tuesday June 10, in the presence of the Governor, Adolph Lele Afrique, Judicial authorities, political leaders like John Fru Ndi, chiefs and others, Barrister Sama said they had agreed with the Minister of Justice to release the results of the Bar exams only when Barrister Bonu must have been interred.
“Bonu collapsed at the secretariat while compiling Bar Council results and was so devoted in doing his job, but due to a cardiac arrest, he could not continue. He died after being in comma for close to a week. Bonu was performing a public duty in honour of the Cameroon Bar and the entire Cameroon. As such, we deemed it necessary to carry out all funeral arrangements before the Minister of Justice can release the Bar Council results”, Barrister Asanga noted.
The Bar Council President accredited the following achievements to late Barrister Bonu: the successful organisation of the Bar Council examination this year; acquisition of several hectares of land in Yaounde for the construction of a Bar Secretariat for FCFA 237million, the planning for the hosting of the recent Pan African Lawyers Union Assembly in Yaounde, and the creation of the Bar Council Office in Yaounde, which, to him, is the best in Africa.
Asanga, warned those spreading information that Bonu and himself received bribe during and after the Bar exams. “I want to declare this in front of Bonu’s corpse and in front of these honourable guests that anybody who will be held to proof will pay the price”.
Barrister Asanga regretted that since he took office as Bar President, he has lost over 23 lawyers, and questioned “who next”? He implored late Bonu to continue to work hard in the next world “please, Bonu, pray for peace and justice in our country Cameroon”.
Before he led others to view the remains of Bonu, the chief Justice of the Northwest Court of Appeal Leonard Jam, said death is inheritable and praised Bonu for training many young lawyers.
At the Holy Family Parish Catholic church, Major Seminary Bambui, Reverend Peter Paul in a piercing homily said late Bonu was a devoted Christian and prayerful lawyer who contributed to the growth of the church in Limbe and Bambui. Death to Rev. Peter Paul is a supreme festival to freedom and liberty.
He urged lawyers to practice justice and peace because “you will defend yourselves in heaven where justice is not bought and sold and you will be in front of God alone”.
