By Christopher Ambe
 |
| Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor-Balla |
Those who are privy to the CV of Nkongho Felix
Agbor-Balla say it would have been a big mistake if his colleagues did not give
this tough-talking Cameroonian-born legal wizard the mandate to head Fako Lawyers’
Association (FAKLA) now for a two-year term renewable, at this time that the
Common Law Practice in the country seems to be under threat of being wiped-off.
His very rich
CV and campaign promises are the magic wand with which he used to fight his way-
smoothly- to the supremacy of FAKLA.
A
resident of Buea and an ex-student of the prestigious St. Joseph College Sasse
Buea and CCAS Kumba,from where he bagged his GCE O & A-levels, with good grades, Agbor
Balla, proceeded to the then
University of Yaoundé, graduating with
an LLB in English Private Law.
The lawyer
He
would later attend the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, graduating with a BL
Second Class Upper Division with 1st Prize Civil Procedure. Qualifying as a
lawyer he enrolled as a Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of
Nigeria in 1996.
Agbor-Balla is
also a lawyer, solicitor and notary public of the Supreme Court of Cameron and,
heads the Agbor Nkongho Law Firm, Biaka
Street Upper Bonduma,Buea.
More Academic Qualifications
Barrister Agbor Balla holds an LLM (Cum Laude)
in International and European Comparative Law at the University of Brussels and
also an LLM (Cum laude) in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at
the University of Notre Dame, USA. He also is holder of a Diploma in Public
International Law at Academy of International Law, Hague, Holland and a Diploma
on Theory and Practice of Conflict Prevention in Africa, the University of
Leipzig, Germany.
Professional
Experience
Barrister
Agbor-Balla worked as a Doctoral Researcher at the Centre for International Law
University of Brussels, Associate Legal Officer at the International Criminal
Court for Sierra Leone, Legal Adviser Trial Chamber International Criminal
Court for Sierra Leone, Human Rights Officer United Nations mission in
Afghanistan, Legal Adviser United Nations Police in Congo and Legal Adviser UN
Mission in Afghanistan.
He
is the Founder and Executive Director of Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
in Africa (www.chrda.org)
.Barrister Agbor-Balla was the first Chairperson of the Southern
Cameroons European Coordinating Committee (SCECC) and led a delegation with
famous Human Rights Activist Albert Mukong(now late) to the President of the EU
Commission to discuss the issues of Southern Cameroons.
The
publisher/author
Agbor-
Balla is the publisher of New Broom Magazine- an extreme Left Magazine that
addresses issues affecting Anglophone Cameroonians. He has written extensively
on themes such as: The Right of the
Southern Cameroonians to Self- Determination under International Law; “An
Appraisal of the Special Court for Sierra Leone” Referral of Sudan to the
International Criminal Court;“The Law as a Mechanism for Women Discrimination in
Sub-Saharan Africa”;“State’s Obligations in Prevention of Gross Violations of
Human Rights in Sub- Saharan Africa: The Case of Darfur, Sudan ,”
“Implementation of Decisions of the International Court of Justice: The
Cameroon/Nigeria Mixed Commission,” “Harmful Traditional Practices affecting
Girls and Women in Cameroon” Comparative study of Reparation in the African
Charter and the Inter American Charter.
This great legal mind has presented papers and
given lectures amongst others on:
“Human Rights Law in Africa,” Brussels School of
International Studies, 2003
“The Legal Status of Boundaries in Africa:
Rethinking the Nation State in Central Africa.” Boundaries: An African Success
Story? Washington D.C., May 2002; Human Rights and the Elderly, Kumba, Cameroon.
August 17 2010;International Criminal Justice, Pan African
Institute of West Africa, Buea 2013;Human Rights and the Law, University of Buea Law
Society, 2014
The Conference Organizer
He
has organized numerous conferences such as: “Democracy in Africa, Challenges
and Prospects," with Dr. Chris Fomunyoh of National Democratic Institute,
a guest speaker, 2010; Corruption and its Implications on Human Rights, Buea,
Cameroon, 25 September, 2009 with Prof. Kale as Keynote Speaker and the
Political adviser of the US Embassy in Yaounde as panelist;The Role of
Diplomacy, Judiciary, Press and Clergy in the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights in Africa, Buea,
Cameroon, September 7, 2007 with Dr. Nsoh, Nigerian Consul General as keynote
speaker;“Human Rights in the Shadow of China: The Case of Taiwan”, Universities
of Chicago & Notre Dame, November 2005
FAKLA -
nursery for leaders
It is on record that FAKLA has produced a President of the Bar Council, a president of the General Assembly,
members of the Bar Council and members in International organizations and the
great halls of international Courts and Tribunals. This association is capable
of more national leaders
Now,with his elevation, by way of free and fair
election, as President of FAKLA, Barrister Agbor-Balla ,many think ,is a tangible blessing not only to the about 300-member association
of legal practitioners in particular but
also to Cameroon and the world in the domain of the articulation
and promotion of the rule of law and
Human Rights.
What makes Barrister Agbor-Balla unique, The
Recorder has observed, is the great force with which he articulates his point
of view once he’s convinced of what he is saying or about to do.
Legal pundits argue that a good lawyer is not
necessarily the one who has a PhD in law or who knows the most law, but one who
sufficiently prepares, masters and brilliantly defends his submissions. This is
where Barrister Agbor-Balla, comes in. He is, to put it bluntly, a great force
to reckon with- national and internationally.
The Recorder learned that, during the election campaign, his sound articulation and
mastery of issues as well as
his persuasiveness won for him the souls of his colleagues- who then
reciprocated by entrusting confidence in
him to lead them.
Hear him
during his campaign: “The challenges facing the common Law are
daunting and since FAKLA has emerged as the guarantor of our bijural and bi-cultural heritage; we need a president who can lead FAKLA to protect and
promote that heritage for ourselves, our people, posterity and our common
destiny. Your humble servant will make the fight against the erosion of the
common law a principal focus of his mandate. I have had high level
international meetings to discuss issues that not only affect the common law
but that affect Anglophones in general.
“The time has come to bring this experience to
FAKLA and as one family we can protect and promote our common destiny. In
addition, I will make sure that FAKLA is proactive by standing up against
harmonization of the laws in the manner in which it is presently being
done. Whilst acknowledging that harmonization is not necessarily bad,
harmonization has become a back door attempt to circumvent the constitutional
protections afforded the common law. If it must be done, I will lead the fight
for FAKLA to be represented in the Committees on Harmonization”
Barrister Agbor Balla, because of his high sense
of direction, likes to lead others. Just recently, he almost became the
President of FECAFOOT Southwest. During
the election, he lost to his challenger Senator Charles Mbella Moki by 6-7
votes.
The Teacher
Due to his love to pass on knowledge and empower
others Barrister Agbor Balla, is also a lecturer at the University of Buea,
teaching Human Rights and Public Liberties, Criminal Procedure and constitutional
law.
Fellowship
Fellowship
This caring father and
Christian is a member of: Cameron Bar Association, Nigerian
Bar Association, International Bar Association, Hague Academy of International Law,
International Criminal Law Network
and the American Society of International Law
According to the Bible Book of Proverbs 24:3-4,“Homes
are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding. Where there is
knowledge, the rooms are furnished with valuable, beautiful things.”
Barrister
Agbor Balla, Bravo !
[ First published in The RECORDER Newspaper,Cameroon,of May 6,2015]
[ First published in The RECORDER Newspaper,Cameroon,of May 6,2015]
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