First defence first witness, Aristide Ndoumbe, promptly refuted all claims against him by prosecution. After a 15-minute recess, hearing resumed at the Douala Military Court at 2:20pm on Tuesday July 9. A few minutes later, the Ecobank case file was announced, which stirred the curiosity of the mammoth crowd that had turned out.

It would be noted that during the previous audience, the second phase of the hearing was launched whereby the accused and their witnesses were to testify before the court. Thus, the defence called up Aristide Ndoumbe, whom prosecution had presented as a “backbone” in the preparation and execution of the armed attack on the Ecobank Bonaberi Agency on March 18, 2011.

Once more, Aristide Ndoumbe refuted all claims levied on him, by giving counter elements. For over five hours, the court was heated by arguments between the prosecution and defence counsels, both seeking to corroborate their claims. The hearing was finally adjourned to Monday July 22, for the continuation of hearing.