Journalist sues colleagues for defamation

The publisher of The Star, Kemayang Paul has brought a suit against Ndi Eugene Ndi, publisher of Newswatch and Franklin Sone Bayen, publisher of Media people Newspaper, for allegedly denting his image in the press industry. Ndi Eugene and Sone Bayen are expected to appear before the Limbe Judge on Wednesday, 30 July.

If they are found guilty, they may be sentenced to 5 years in jail. Kemayang is also pleading to the court to grant him a fine up to 5 million fcfa for claims of damages in a story published in Newswatch in May 2014.

Ndi Eugene Ndi accused Kemayang Paul and John Mbah Akuroh (President of Cameroon Anglophone publishers Association, CANPA) of syphoning some of the money they collected from some companies and senior state officials to organize a press freedom day event in Buea into his own pockets.

Upon publication of the story, Kemayang Paul said his hands were clean. He urged Ndi Eugene and any other persons who doubted his sincerity to carry out a thorough investigations at all the places where he was alleged to have collected money.

Kemayang, who is holder of a chieftaincy title (he was conferred with the title of Osari Maribo of Besong-Abang Village in Manyu Division) also urged Ndi Eugene to publish the findings of his investigations within the shortest possible time.

Ndi Eugene promised to reveal further evidence of embezzlement by Kemayang and Akuroh, when they intended to take him to court. Both Kemayang and Akuroh are frontline crusaders for the decriminalization of press offences. Franklin Sone Bayern was dragged into the matter when he also relayed Ndi Eugene’s post-press freedom day story, in his newspaper-Mediapeople as a result, Ndi Eugene and Franklin Bayern were also accused in the case.

Hearing opens on Wednesday 30 August at the Limbe court. While, some colleagues of the press have criticized Kemayang Paul for taking a press offence to court, the chief says court action is the only way to clear the air on the issue to gain his reputation back.

Kemayang says that his reputation was gravely damaged by the report and he wants the damage to be repaired without delay. “I cannot allow my 32 years of media practice reputation to be dragged in the mud so easily. I crave the indulgence of colleagues to understand my situation and to bear with me in this dicey matter,” said Chief Kemayang to The Median.

Ndi Eugene Ndi on his part is inviting all those who have been urging him to publish part 11 of his story, to be present themselves in court, on Wednesday, and get further information on the embezzlement saga.

Meanwhile, Franklin Bayen has described Chief Kemayang’s action as a way to intimidate and blackmail him into stopping the investigations that he opened to look into the matter. He says Kemayang and Akuroh should rather submit themselves to honorable accountability instead of resorting to court action.

Bayen fears that he may be tried in a Kangaro court and sent to jail for practicing good journalism.