North West Provincial Appeals Court Decision - A Mockery of Justice
CCDHR strongly condemns the North West Provincial Appeals Court decision to release on bail, convicted murderer Fon Doh Gah Gwanyin and his aides, each serving 15 years prison term for the 2004 murder of John Kohtem. The victim who was chairman of the opposition party, Social Democratic Front (SDF) in Balikumbat had publicly challenged Doh Gah’s numerous election-rigging practices and other tyrannical predispositions in Balikumbat, a village of the North West Province of Cameroon. Fon Doh Gah Gwanyin, the traditional ruler of Balikumbat, it should be noted, is an ardent supporter of the ruling Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM). He is generally known for short as the all and all of Balikumbat because he is CPDM Section President of Balikumbat, Mayor of Balikumbat, Member of Parliament for Balikumbat, and government contractor of Balikumbat.

Doh Gah was convicted by the Ndop High Court for the premeditated murder and personal participation in the beating to death of John Kohtem. This happened during the build-up to the 2004 Presidential Elections in Cameroon. Relentless public pressure finally ended the long-drawn-out investigation and  numerous court adjournments and the case proceeded to trial with the conviction of Doh Gah and members of his criminal gang. The conviction of Fon Doh Gah was a landmark decision in the history of the Cameroon Judiciary. It reaffirmed faith in the Cameroon judicial process, with positive implications for the principles of rule of law and separation of powers. Cameroonians once again nourished some level of hope in a judiciary, least known for its independence.

Barely three months into his 15 years prison term, Doh Gah has been released on bail by the North West Provincial Appeals Court on the pretext of poor health. CCDHR is concerned with this decision as it sets a dangerous precedent for the administration of justice in Cameroon, especially as Fon Doh Gah’s activities since his release has been inconsistent with the ill-health argument advanced by his lawyers on appeal.

CCDHR deplores the double standards that exist in Cameroon in the administration of justice and the negative repercussions this may have on the society. The judiciary must be allowed to function independently so as to provide citizens the justifications to seek justice through lawfully established mechanisms. It is inconceivable that mere suspects within the Cameroon criminal system who are seriously ill have most often been denied access to medical care with incidents of death, while convicted murderers are let loose. PICAM is therefore concerned about the influence Fon Doh Gah’s status as a prominent member of the CPDM may have played in the recent decision to release him on bail.

CCDHR is also concerned for the safety of opponents of Fon Doh Gah and witnesses to the case against him. Fon Doh Gah apparently runs a gang of thugs and a private militia known to have been involved in a series of crimes ranging from intimidation and threats to life, to burning of property and murder. CCDHR is calling on Fon Doh Gah to act responsibly in fulfillment of the conditions of his bail and abstain from any act of violence. CCDHR is also calling on the Justice Department and the North West Provincial Appeals Court to closely monitor the actions of all those released on bail in connection with this crime, making sure that they respect every condition of their bail and that justice is finally served in this case.