Reports reaching BaretaNews confirms that the defence counsel of Lord Justice Ayah Paul Abine on March 6th, 2017 filed a legal order (habeas corpus) to the President of Mfoundi High Court in Yaounde demanding his immediate release from detention. It should be recalled that Hon. Ayah was arrested on Saturday the 21th of January at his residence and was detained at the Secretariat of State for Defense (SED) in Yaounde. Until date, reasons for his arrest and detention are yet to be proven.
Following a petition to the President of the Mfoundi High Court, Hon. Ayah’s defence counsel said their client was arrested at his residence by the military and later transferred to SED without any evidence of crime perpetuated. Adding that his arrest and detention grossly violated his rights and privileges as an Advocate General at the Supreme Court of Cameroon.
Also, the defense counsel quoted Section 629, Sub 1 & 2, of the Criminal Procedure Code which reads: “(1) Where a judicial or legal officer is likely to be charged with committing an offence, the competent Procureur General [State Counsel] shall request the President of the Supreme Court to appoint an investigating magistrate as well as three other magistrates of a grade at least equal to that of the magistrate incriminated and they shall, if necessary, hear and determine the matter at first instance. (2) The President of the Supreme Court shall, in addition, indicate the town wherein the case shall be heard.”
Information gathered reveals that the health condition of Lord Justice Ayah is fast deteriorating. Some medical attention was provided following persistent demands from his family and lawyers. As at the time of writing, Hon. Ayah’s health is not all good.
BaretaNews has been hinted that the President of the Mfoundi High Court is yet to respond to the request by the lawyers.
