Some 16 persons accused of holding a meeting without authorisation, who were arrested in the Molyko neighbourhood on July 16, will be arraigned in court, today, July 26.

The 15, mostly youths, representing the Divisions (Counties) of erstwhile West Cameroon, had reportedly travelled from their various Divisions to converge in Buea and hold a meeting to come up with the way forward in what is known as; the struggle for the restoration of the statehood of the Southern Cameroons.

Shortly after they assembled at the Mile 17 Motor Park, Buea, and moved up to Molyko neighbourhood to find something to eat before proceeding to the yet undisclosed meeting venue, they were rounded up at about 11.00am by security operatives, led by Superintendant of Police, Roger Nana Ngongang – Commissioner of Molyko Police Station.

Approached for comment, Police Superintendent, Nana Ngongang disclosed that 14 out of the 16 people had come in the previous day, from all over the Northwest and Southwest Regions and joined the two other people from Buea, in a the meeting chaired by Richard Mbua, from Kumba. The Police Chief said the people were later transferred to the Judicial Police Station for investigations.

They were subsequently remanded in prison custody to appear in court on July 26. Among those detained are; Shey Alfred Sembe, Fokum Andrew, Moto James, Njousi Abang David, Chief Ekane Ivoson Maths, Bissong Mathias Arrey, Tabot James Arrey, Tebot Titanji Christian, Mokube Alus Ngoe, Nke Valentine, Tonjoh Peter Fehbi, Asoh Cletus, Mbua Richard and Check Nyah.

Barrister Shufai Blaise Berinyuy Servidzem, who is counsel for the detained persons, told The Post: “There was no meeting. They had barely stopped at UB Junction looking for food, when the police swooped on them and arrested them.

Asked what might happen when the 15 appear before the court on Tuesday, Barrister Berinyuy said: “They may be bailed. Holding an unauthorised meeting is a bailable offence.”

Recently, in Buea, one-time Cameroon Bar Association President, Barrister Bernard Muna, lamented that, “In those days, one could beat the gong and people will gather in the palace court yard and discuss issues affecting them. But, today, one must have to obtain a piece of paper from the sous prefet before convening a family reunion,” the senior advocate said as much.