Ecobank Affair - Prosecution Witness Absent

The court adjourned the case to May 31, with prosecution requested to ensure their presence.

The hearing on the court case pitting the state against five military officers and some civilians accused of orchestrating the armed robbery of Ecobank Bonaberi could not continue on Tuesday May 13. Two years after the organised crime, the accused, presently in custody at the Douala Central Prison all answered present. Though, prosecution could not produce any witness, for the continuation of discussions. On this note, the defence requested the court to begin the hearing of the accused, then compel the absentees if need be.

According to them, prosecution has exhausted its facts through the previous testimonies of seven witnesses. In response, the examining Magistrate, Colonel Neih Kometa, explained that the Military Court system follow procedures. Unlike in a civilian court were declarations could be approved even in their absence, all the witnesses must undergo examination-in-chief, cross examination and re-examination. Thus, the case was adjourned to Friday May 13, upon presentation of more prosecution witnesses.