The Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) will answer questions in court regarding its upcoming elections, the executive has said.
This follows a lawsuit from some of its former members: Taku Jacob, Emi Emmanuel, and Luma Albert. CBC Executive, as such, will stand trial for the fifth time on November 7 in Yaounde.
In a letter written to Christian, the Executive President of CBC, Rev. Nditemeh Charlemagne, said the ex-members want to pause the upcoming elections.
“The three are praying the Mfoundi Court of First Instance to order the suspension of the upcoming decentralised CBC general elections,” he said.
The matter, however, is pending judgement at the Mezam High Court in Bamenda. But the plaintiffs, in what CBC executive described as forum-shopping, have filed the same case in Mfoundi High Court of First Instance in Yaounde.
“The next hearing for the second, third, and fourth cases by the same plaintiffs is scheduled for 5 November 2024. We will be in court in Bamenda on 5 November and leave the next day for Yaounde to attend the one on 7 November 2024.” Rev Nditemeh added.
By taking matter to Yaounde, CBC said the ex-members are running away from common law jurisdiction in Bamenda and Buea. It “is an invitation for us all to pray for them. It is a clear sign of desperation,” he said.
Disputes in Cameroon Churches
The CBC faces legal challenges as it is not the first church in Cameroon to be taken to court. MMI reports have shown a pattern where several churches face court cases, and at times, their leaders get detained.
The dispute at the Cameroon True Church of God stands out as a glaring example. Two people claim leadership there. As the case progressed, Paul Atanga Nji, the Cameroon Minister of Territorial Administration, assisted in placing one of the opposition leaders in jail.
The court recently addressed the case between the Catholic Diocese of Buea and Rev. Father Nkezeh regarding the leadership of the Catholic University Institute of Buea. The current case surrounding the Cameroon Baptist Convention will reveal which side justice will favour.
