Mishe Fon, you seem to be the lone voice of rational reason on this issue so far. The very points that you raised as questions jumped into my mind when I read the piece. I'm not sure that I would credit our leadership with 'smarts' but common sense (that I hope is a lot more available to many) tells one that one shouldn't mess with a situation that is already quite volatile with a pronouncement that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. To add to your argument, English, in all is variations, is the dominant language on the globe... Why on earth will anyone in their right mind put a ban on its use within the legal arena which is the mediation locus of any civilized society! We are, to a certain extent, a civilized people, aren't we? I equally don't buy this claim which seems rather incendiary. Dr. Njeuma.
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Mega™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: 'Mishe Fon' via ambasbay
Date:02/28/2015 8:03 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: cameroon_politics@yahoogroups.com,CAMNETWORK List
Subject: Re: Fw: [AFOaKOM] Fwd: [BIROCOL] English Language banned in NW Courts - Lawyers to make submissions in French only
I am sorry, but I don't buy this Cameroon Journal story entirely. I don't like to fall thoky to a headline of this magnitude without asking a few questions. There are two Anglophone provinces in Cameroon, right? These Francophones decided to ban English only in Pam'nda Courts, right? WHY? I know that we, Abakwa peepoo trong head too much when it comes to chook faya BUT what will cause the Biya Regime which is struggling with a War against Terrorists in the North, to want to engage another brutal War with Anglophones...and why Bamenda and not Buea or Limbe?
I honestly smell sensationalism, "Intox and smol story fixing" in this "English banned in NW Courts" story. I honestly think Biya is too smart a Politician to venture into this kind of a wild goose chase. He must have enough Intel to warn him that Bamenda is a volcano waiting to happen with or without provocation.
Conclusion: Dat CJ tolly no tanap straight 4 my ears and eyes. Na langua 4 sell Nuss paper. PERIOD.
Mishe Fon
From: "Francis Njung njungf@yahoo.com [cameroon_politics]" <cameroon_politics@yahoogroups.com>
To: "cameroon_politics@yahoogroups.com" <cameroon_politics@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2015 4:15 AM
Subject: Re: [cameroon_politics] Fw: [AFOaKOM] Fwd: [BIROCOL] English Language banned in NW Courts - Lawyers to make submissions in French only
What is Bilingualism for???
From: "Salomon SAMEN ssamen@hotmail.com [cameroon_politics]" <cameroon_politics@yahoogroups.com>
To: "cameroon_politics@yahoogroups.com" <cameroon_politics@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2015 10:17 PM
Subject: Re: [cameroon_politics] Fw: [AFOaKOM] Fwd: [BIROCOL] English Language banned in NW Courts - Lawyers to make submissions in French only
If what is reported by Sylvanius Ezieh is true, forcing English speaking Cameroonians to make their court submissions in French language only, this is totally unacceptable, and we do have a very very serious problem in our beloved country. Very serious problem indeed.
Sent from my iPadSincerely always yoursSalomon SAMEN, Ph.D
On Feb 27, 2015, at 3:49 PM, Francis Njung njungf@yahoo.com [cameroon_politics] <cameroon_politics@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Ndi Bernard timti1276@yahoo.com [AFOaKOM]" <AFOaKOM@yahoogroups.com>
To: AFOaKOM@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2015 7:51 PM
Subject: [AFOaKOM] Fwd: [BIROCOL] English Language banned in NW Courts - Lawyers to make submissions in French only
And they say we are equal citizens? Don't think we need further proof
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:From: "'Akoh, Asa'na' revasana@hotmail.com [BIROCOL]" <BIROCOL@yahoogroups.com>
Date: February 27, 2015 at 17:03:16 GMT+1
Subject: [BIROCOL] English Language banned in NW Courts - Lawyers to make submissions in French only [1 Attachment]
Reply-To: BIROCOL@yahoogroups.comBy Sylvanus Ezieh, February 27, 2015Cameroon Journal, Yaound̩ РThe Common Law practice in Cameroon has again suffered a major setback. After Common Law Lawyers protested an attempt by the Biya's regime to impose notaries on the English Legal System last year, Anglophone Lawyers in the North West Region are now being compelled to make their court submissions only in the French language.North West Lawyers Association, NOWELA has in a strongly-worded statement condemned the provision, describing it as an attempt to assimilate the common law system in Cameroon. A memorandum addressed to the President of the North West Court of Appeal by its President asserts vehemently, that the language of communication in North West courts is English. The letter bears resolutions of a meeting of NOWELA members on February 20, in which they pointed out that the move to oblige North West lawyers make their submissions in the French language only is not only a violation of the constitution of Cameroon, but also an infringement on minority rights.Robert Nso Fon, NOWELA President, told The Cameroon Journal in a telephone interview that the move appears to be just another deliberate attempt to completely destroy the Anglophone legal system in Cameroon. Hear him: "It is clear that they simply want to completely eliminate the common law system in Cameroon."Nso, who spoke with a lot of regrets argued that the move was in absolute contrast to what obtains when they (Anglophone lawyers) find themselves in courts in the francophone zone. There, he said; "We are obliged to make our submissions in French, so why would they oblige us to make our submissions in French again in our own courts?" Nso questioned.Quizzed if speaking French could obstruct any court proceedings, he said that in legal issues every single word must be understood properly by both parties. "We the lawyers could understand and even speak the broken French, but what about our clients who understand no single word in French?"He said attempts to even convince presiding judges that interpreters could be hired so as to ease the burden for parties have flopped given that the latter are obliging the parties to pay for the charges. He suggested that it was the duty of the court to bear the financial burden in cases where the services of an interpreter are hired.Also speaking on the issue which has become topical on the lips of all North Westerners and Anglophones in general, one Barrister Buh disclosed that only Francophones have been appointed at the Legal Department of the North West Court of Appeal."It is regrettable that only Francophones have been appointed at the legal department of the North West Court of Appeal, from Attorney General through the Advocate General to all the substitutes. All documents coming from this service are in French," he lamented.On the sidelines of the French language issue, NOWELA in one of its resolutions has also picked issues with judges of the region over what they consider as extortion in court matters.They claim in the resolution that the judges have been obliging parties to foot their bills during visits to the field (locus fees). "This is simply extortion of the parties involved. These charges have to be levied on the state treasury. They could sign the money as mission order, not extorting it from parties," he lashed out.The North West lawyers warned in their resolutions that the move being implemented by gov't could easily result to disintegration. "While counting on your well known disposition to respect the laws of the state, the lawyers did not hesitate to conclude that the cracks imposed by their francophone brothers on the foundation of our unity can seriously widen to the extent that any further cracks can result to disintegration," the memorandum partly reads.Michael Fondungallah, Esq.<image001.png>2499 Rice Street Suite 145Saint Paul, MN 55113Tel: (651) 482-0520Fax: (651) 482-0530Direct (612) 246-4753NOTICEThis transmission may contain sensitive and confidential privileged Attorney-Client information. This information may neither be copied nor disclosed or forwarded to third parties without the prior written consent of Fondungallah & Kigham, LLC. Unauthorized use or disclosure of this information shall be regarded as a breach of confidentiality and appropriately redressed. If you get this transmission by mistake please DELETE IMMEDIATELY from your system without copying it and notify our office by reply email or telephone so that we can correct our records.Please be advised that an email inquiry may be intercepted by a third party and does not create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship does not exist without an Agreement for legal representation executed by both parties listing the payment terms and the specific work to be performed.Thank YouFondungallah & Kigham, LLCEnabling Freedom Facilitating Opportunities
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