Lawyers Laments Delay in Release of Nigerian Professors Detained in Cameroon
The legal team representing Nigerian professors detained in Cameroon has expressed dismay over the prolonged incarceration of their clients.
The detained professors include Sisiku Julius Ayuke Tabe, Shufai Blaise Sevidzem Berinyuy, Prof. Awasum Augustine Cheh, Dr Henry Tata Kimeng, Barr Eyambe Elias EBAI, Dr Cornelius Kwanga Njikimbi, Dr. Fidelis Ndeh Nche, Dr Egbengu Ogork, Mr. Nfor Ngala Nfor, and Mr. Tassang Wilfred Forbang.
In a statement released on Thursday by Joseph Awah Fru, on behalf of the legal team, it was highlighted that the delay in the release of the professors was raised during a recent hearing of the public petitions committee in the National Assembly.
The statement indicated that the committee chairman had pledged to explore additional legal measures, including reaching out to the Solicitor General, to address the delays in the professors’ release.
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The lawyers attributed the delay to the absence of crucial officials from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Cameroonian High Commissioner, the UNHCR Coordinator, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and relevant officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the proceedings.
“The prolonged detention of Nigerian professors in Cameroon has encountered significant delays owing to the non-appearance of crucial officials from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Cameroonian High Commissioner, the UNHCR Coordinator, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the statement said.
The legal team recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja, in its judgment No FHC/ABJ/CS/85/2018 dated March 1, 2019, and the UN Human Rights Committee’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) in its Communication 59/2022 on October 14, 2022, have both called for the release and compensation of the detainees.
“The presence of the absent officials is critical to ensuring transparency and allowing them to present their side of the story.”
The legal team expressed concern that despite these rulings, the professors remain in custody.
