The matter was heard publicly for the first time yesterday, February 29, 2016 at the Yaounde Military Tribunal.

Journalist Ahmed Abba, a Hausa Language correspondent for French radio; Radio France Internationale (RFI) who has been under detention since July 30, 2015 was brought before the Yaounde Military Tribunal for the first time yesterday, February 29, 2016 for complicity and non-denunciation of terrorism acts punishable by the Penal Code under Articles 74, 97, 107 and law number 2014/028 of 23/12/2014. Presiding at the sitting was the President of the Yaounde Military Tribunal, Colonel. Mrs. Abega Mbezoa and Ndzie Pierrot Narcisse and Nkoa Akouna as Military Prosecutors.

After the court identified Ahmed Abba, born in Maroua, in the Far North Region of Cameroon, the President of the tribunal proceeded to ask Abba if he was guilty or not guilty of the charges against him. Ahmed Abba pleaded not guilty.  This opened the way for debates on the matter. But the Military Prosecutor, Ndzie Pierrot Narcisse said since they were not expecting the accused to plead not guilty, they needed more time  to permit the prosecution prepare a list of its witnesses and bring to court during the next session.

The defence lawyers, Charles Tchoungang and Clement Nakong took time to tell the court four major irregularities in the case against their client which require that the court drops the case as stipulated by the Penal Code. Barrister Tchoungang and Nakong took turns to tell the court how the rights of their client have been seriously violated. Barrister Nakong said it was necessary to present to the court some legal errors which violated the rights of their client during the preliminary phase of the case.

He reiterated that Ahmed Abba was arrested by Cameroonian officials in Maroua, and brought to Yaounde on July 30, 2015. Within three months, the defence lawyers said he was under secret detention and neither his family nor lawyers knew his whereabouts. This according to Barrister Nakong, is illegal.

On November 13, 2015 he was removed from secret detention and kept under custody at the National Gendarmerie Headquarters. Even during custody, the defence lawyers said the right of their client was not respected because the deadline for custody is 15 days but he was under custody for close to 28 days during which he was even tortured. Barrister Nakong said the prosecution only gave room for his client’s custody period to be renovated only after 26 days. According to the Penal Code, Barrister Tchoungang said such irregularities require the court to cancel the case against his client.

The Prosecutors said the defence complaints are not pertinent and should not be taken into consideration by the court. Col. Mrs. Abega Mbezoa adjourned the case to March 29, 2016 for the prosecution to communicate its list of witnesses as well as to decide on the defence complaints.