By Christopher Ambe
University of Buea don,
Dr.Mbufong Paul kuban has appeared before the Buea Magistrate’s Court to answer
to a three-count charge of false report in a criminal matter pitting him
against the people of Cameroon.
When the lone matter first came
up on February 28, Mr. Mbufong could not plead, because he identified an
ambiguity in the first charge and his counsel kizito Dikumba,was not available , causing the presiding Magistrate
Nabangi Beatrice to adjourn the matter to March 7 for
the charge to be modified and for his counsel to be present.
Dr. Mbufong has been indicted for
making a “false report” to Cameroon’s Vice-Prime Minister of Justice and Keeper
of the Seal against one Charles Namme Menyoli, a judge and currently President
of Fako High Court,Buea
Arraigned on March 7, the accused
Dr. Mbufong pleaded not guilty to all three charges. His counsel, kizito Dikumba, raised a
preliminary objection but Prosecutor Njojo John Njie countered it and the presiding
magistrate overruled the preliminary objection, noting the matter was proper
before the court.
But hearing could not go ahead
because the first Prosecution Witness Justice Charles Namme Menyoli, was
absent, as he was said to be on an official assignment. The matter was
adjourned to April 18, for the First prosecution witness to be present and for
hearing.
According to count one on the
charge sheet, Mbufong Paul Kuban made to a
person in authority a false report liable to lead to disciplinary
measures against one Charles Namme Menyoli
by writing to the Vice-Prime Minister of Justice and keeper of the Seal
and alleging there that Charles Namme Menyoli had sued him (Mr.Mbufong)with
respect in suit CFIB/03C/2010 on a
matter which had been decided in Mr. Mbufong’s favor in four previous judgments
and thereby committed an offence
contrary to and punishable under Section 304(1) of the Penal Code.
Count two says: “That you Mbufong
Paul Kumbang made to person in authority a false liable to lead to disciplinary
measures against one Charles Namme Menyoli ,that is by writing a complaint
against him to the Vice-Prime Minister of Justice and keeper of the Seal and
alleging there that he intends to play the role of judge and jury in matter
concerning his father -in -law and thereby committed an offence contrary to
and punishable under Section 304(1) of
the penal code”
Count three: “That you Mbufong
Paul Kubang made to a person in authority a false report liable to lead to disciplinary
measures against one Charles Namme Menyoli, that is by writing a complaint
against him to the vice-Prime Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seal and
alleging there that Charles Namme Menyoli has evil plans against you, a
helpless and instant citizen and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable
under Section 304(1) of the penal code”
According to Section 304(1) of
the Penal code, “Whoever makes to any person in authority, whether public or private,
a false report liable to lead to prosecution or disciplinary measures shall be
punished with imprisonment for from six months to five years and with fine of
from ten thousand to one million francs, unless he shows that he had good
reason to believe the report to be true”
First Published in The Recorder Newspaper, Cameroon, of March 22, 2013
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