Legal profession ‘under attack’:
Fako lawyers urged to defend two Barristers dragged to court for alleged misconduct

By Tata Mbunwe

Lawyers in Fako Division have been urged to stand by their two colleagues who will be appearing before the Buea High Court this Thursday, February 17, for allegedly violating professional rules.


In a note circulating on social media, Barrister Enow Benjamin, Representative of the Cameroon Bar Association for Fako Division, said lawyers should turn out to defend Barrister Sichui John Kameni and Barrister Nkwelle Mesape, who “will be charged in court for alleged acts committed in the of their profession”.


He says the legal profession is “under attack” from some Magistrates who “have vowed to prosecute and jail our members as a means to subdue us once and for all”.


Enow Benjamin stated: “It is my considered opinion that this is a litmus test for us. It is therefore important for us to demonstrate solidarity against a misguided group of magistrates who are determined to ridicule lawyers. Today, it is Barrister Kameni and Mesape. Who will be next?”


He notes that “an alarming number of lawyers” have also been dragged to court recently for performing their professional duties.


Calling on lawyers to defend the legal profession and to defend one another, he said they also need to “compile data on atrocities committed by Magistrates daily” in Fako Division.