Sissiku Julius Ayuk Tabe was present at Monday’s court hearing along with nine of his co-accused – Dr. Nfor Ngala Nfor, Barrister Shufai Blaise Sevidzem Berinyuy, Dr. Cornelius Njikimbi Kwanga, Dr Fidelis Nde Che, Egbe Ogork, Barrister Eyambe Elias, Che Augustine Awasum Wilfred Tassang Fombang and Dr Ojong Nkongho.

The matter will start de novo following the transfer of the previous presiding magistrate Colonel Mem Michel.

The case pitting the President of the Interim Government of the self-declared Ambazonian state is at its third presiding judge though the matter seems to be a long way from concluding on preliminary objections.

Cameroon-info.net recalls that Justice Col. Mem Michel was pulled off the case by a presidential decree appointing him President of the Buea Military Tribunal. 

Lawyers say the July 29, 2019 court appearance was to confirm whether the parties have been served ahead of a restart of the trial with the new presiding judge Jacques Njoke Baudouin.

Barrister Eta Besong Junior seized the floor and observed that the defense team was not in the mood to move or address the court because they are deeply touched by the torture meted out on Barrister Amungwa Nicodemus in Yaoundé and uncertainty over the whereabouts of some Kondengui detainees.

It emerged during Monday’s trial that the Nera 10 will begin a hunger strike on July 31, 2019 if the Government fails to account for those exfiltrated from the Buea and Yaounde Central Prisons following last week’s riots.

Cameroon-info.net recalls that on Monday, some detainees at the Kondengui Central Prison went amok supposedly over claims of poor detention conditions and lengthy pre-trial detentions.  

The protests turned violent with the burning of some installations at the detention facility. Two detainees were wounded by their peers. 177 persons believed to have spearheaded the mutiny are said to be detained at the gendarmerie and police where investigations are ongoing.  

In Buea, Tuesday's riot led to the burning of the library, food stores and reserves and the office of discipline. Two security forces were wounded while 43 detainees were injured. 

At least 20 inmates are now in the custody of the judicial police in Buea as investigations heat up. 

Government spokesman Rene Emmanuel Sadi said the genuine grievances of detained compatriots will be given due consideration. 

He said the justice system "is working in all sovereignty but in a progressive manner to hear and determine the cases of these protesting detainees in all objectivity and fairness in compliance with the procedures in force." 

Sadi said "in any event and beyond their insurgency, the government remains attentive to the appeals of these detained compatriots. The government will continue to work within the scope of its responsibilities to ensure that the procedures in progress are carried out in due diligence and that the independence of the judiciary is strictly respected." 

Despite government’s announcement that no life was lost in both prison riots, separatists remain bent that government has something she is hiding.