On the morning of May 15, 2020, security officers visited the home of freelance, Njoka Kingsley in Douala.
Presenting themselves as agents from “Surete Nationale”, they had him arrested and later on searched his house and office, confiscating his laptops and phones. The father of two was only found fourteen days later at the much dreaded SED, a detention facility at the Gendarmerie Headquarters, after pressure on government for his whereabouts.
Today marks exactly 30 days since his arrest and detention. Transfered to the Yaounde Kondengui prison days back, Njoka is charged with terrorism-related offences.
After meeting him at SED, the journalist’s lawyers Akuwidze Joseph, Pekum Emmanuel and Amungwa Tanyi said “he is frail and pale for he drinks mostly water because he is traumatized psychologically to have been kept for twenty four days incommunicado till this morning when we met him”.
“Three laptops seized alongside his android phone are currently being searched by the investigator at the Centrale des Recherches Judiciare (SED) in order to ascertain the veracity of allegations brought against him,” they added.
Judging by the manner in which Njoka was arrested, held incommunicado for weeks and maltreated, there are fears his case may be that of another ‘Wazizi’ in the making.
Njoka Kingsley is one of many other pressmen arrested due to their work. The likes of Paul Chouta, Wawa Jackson and the late Samuel Wazizi who died in military detention are still a fresh reminder of the conditions members of the press in Cameroon work under.
Mimi Mefo Info
