Four members of the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC), the movement fighting for the independence of the North West and South West regions that constitute the English-speaking regions of Cameroon, are standing trial at the Bamenda Military Tribunal on charges of manufacturing bombs and other improvised explosive devices.

They include Stephen Kongnso Lawong, leader of the Bui SCNC branch, Walters Numvi, Clovis Shey Nji and Andrew Tamukom Fru Tar. The activists are accused of planting bombs and other dangerous explosives at the Bamenda Commercial Avenue during the 2015 National Day celebrations on May 20.

On October 5, they were chained hands and legs and taken to a Bamenda Military Court and were only unchained when the President of the Court ordered them to enter the dock for trial to begin. The case was adjourned to November 2.

The Cameroon Journal learned that one of the Defence Counsel, Barrister Henry Kemende Gamsey, a representative of the Bar Council in the North West, pleaded with the court to no avail to release the accused on bail until they are proven guilty. The court president responded that due to the magnitude of the offence, the accused cannot be granted bail.

“I am embarrassed that the court is already presuming the accused persons guilty when the matter has not been heard and determined,” defence lawyer Ruth Leyuga Titamonga told reporters.

The accusations levied on the SCNC activists are based on the anti-terrorism law N0 2014/028. The law provides that once accused, tried and found guilty they will face a death penalty.