Malende Chief under Gendarme surveillance

Chief Peter Esambi Ngoh II of Malende Kumba is reportedly under the scrutiny of elements of the national gendarmerie as investigations into the land dispute between Malende and Mukonje deepen, The Post has learnt.

Ngoh has been summoned to appear at the Gendarmerie Brigade at Buea Road in Kumba on October 7. He was grilled for several hours last September 29, following a complaint he disclosed was filed against him by Alexander Otto Abange of the Mukonje Traditional Council.

Talking to The Post on October 2, Chief Ngoh confirmed that the second summons which he said was served on him through one of his four subjects who ended up behind bars following the interrogations of September 29 and later released. He said that he was yet to figure out what the elements of law and order want from him.

Quizzed on the circumstances surrounding the release of four of his subjects, namely; Alfred Ntungwe Bobga, Jackson Ambe , Joseph Ambang and Marcus Enow, who spent two days in custody, the chief said they were released for free. The Malende chief, however, did not rule out the possibility of influence from higher quarters that might have caused the group to regain freedom.

He explained that before their release, he had spoken to a Senator, the Meme SDO and the Mayor to the Kumba III Council, about the “unjust” detention of his subjects.

Despite promising to seek legal and administrative solutions to the problem, the chief lamented that there could be influence peddling and exchange of money within some quarters to cause pain and fear in his chiefdom.

On allegations that both Mukonmje and Malende have been bribing Government officials, the judiciary and even the secret State police as the land matter drags on, the traditional ruler declined making any comment.

In reaction to the same allegations of bribery, Alexander Otto Abange, Chairman of the Mukonje Traditional Council told The Post through a telephone interview on October 4 that, hierarchy has suspended them from talking to the press.

Otto said all the media has been publishing on the land problem is void of facts. He stated that, his focus now remains on seeking an administrative or legal solution to the matter. His comment on the issue, he said, will come at the appropriate time.