Fako Land: Heavy jail terms hang over six chiefs

The Fako land-grabbing saga has taken a twist for the worse with a heavy jail term hanging over some six chiefs of the division. The landmark defamation case, pitting the South West regional secretary of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedom, Christopher Tambe Tiku and the chiefs came up for hearing for the first time on Tuesday at the Buea magistrate court. It was adjourned to October 13, 2014.

The chiefs who Tambe Tiku has sued in their individual capacity are: Samuel Epupa Ekum of Dikolo, Njie Mandenge of Wonjia, Njie Mbanda of Lysoka, Johannes Mokoto Njie of Mundame in Muyuka who is also current Fako Chiefs president, Kombe Ndike of Mondoni and Molive Molundo of Batoke. Tambe who is claiming the chiefs upto 10MFCFA in damages has equally sued the Fako Chiefs Conference.

Meanwhile, dependable sources have hinted The Guardian Post that the custodians of Fako tradition are now deploying all available strategies to have the matter settled out of court.

Sources say prior to Tuesday’s court hearing, executive members of the Fako Chiefs’ Conference had convened an emergency meeting at the close of last week with the Tambe Tiku court issue being the main item on their agenda.

Although the meeting was in-camera, a reliable source hinted this reporter that it was stormy as the chiefs in attendance debated on whether to beg Tambe Tiku to withraw the court suit or not.

But even before the chiefs approach Tambe Tiku, who is also an ELECAM board member, for an out-of court settlement, The Guardian Post gathered that the rights defender has vowed that justice must prevail. Tiku Tambe in an interview with a Limbe based weekly tabloid had said “…it is necessary for me to set an example on a few of them (Fako chiefs)…there is no compromise, the rule of law must prevail…”

In the same interview, the ELECAM board member who has been too critical of the land-grab saga in Fako explained that : “…I have decided, after due consideration in relation to what has transpired in this whole land saga, to drag a few of the Fako chiefs to court for defaming my person and also for publishing libelous press releases…in which they said all sort of nasty things about me, giving members of the public the impression that I am irresponsible, unpatriotic, a secessionist …”

Contacted via telephone, Tambe Tiku who responded said he had requested his lawyer for an adjournment of the case to a later date in October. Meanwhile all attempts to get further information from Tambe Tiku’s lawyer, Barrister Eta Besong Junior were abortive.