Bar Council President, Sama Francis, held a press conference on January 30 in Bamenda, to denounce the sale of Letters of Sponsorship.

Against a backdrop of persistent rumours that advocates are selling Letters of Sponsorship ahead of the Bar, Parts I and 2, examinations scheduled for February 23 and 24, 2014, the President of the Bar Council, Barrister Sama Francis, has stated his preparedness to prosecute or disbar advocates who attempt to jeopardise the credibility of the examination.

Speaking during a press conference in Bamenda, North West Regional capital, on Thursday January 30, 2014, Barrister Sama Francis said that victims are invited to report any case that threatens the good conduct of the examinations, which come eight years after the last one in 2007. Barrister Sama Francis, however, clarified that a majority of law offices already had the maximum number of candidates provided by the law and thus explains the unavailability or shortage of Letters of Sponsorship for applicants who had not until now been attached to any law office.

He acknowledged that it is a legal obligation for advocates to contribute towards the running of the Bar council, but was quick to dismiss the persistent rumours because the Bar Council did not wait for the Bar examinations to be scheduled before summoning defaulting advocates before the Disciplinary Council.

“We want to organise the most credible Bar examinations in recent times. There will be no undue advantage for all the candidates. We shall not condone any aspect of corruption in efforts to restore the lost dignity and credibility of the Cameroon Bar,” Barrister Sama Francis was categorical. In effect, the Bar President condemned the attitude of an advocate who before issuing a Letter of Sponsorship, demands or subjects a candidate to the payment of the Advocate’s Bar dues or any sum of money.

He said it is the decision of the Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals that scheduled the Bar examination which it jointly organises with the Bar Council. The examination is expected to qualify candidates for practice with 12/20 as the pass mark.

The Bar President also took time off to acknowledge lethargy for some eight years at the Bar. He said that though independent, the Bar is yet to be very organised to be able to independently organise the Bar examination involving over 2,000 candidates. Prominent projects staring the Bar at the face include efforts to make the Bar examination more regular, the creation of a Law school and the recruitment and training of competent and responsible Advocates.