Paul Eric Kingué risks another trial after his release

After leaving the courtroom with a broad smile, the ex-Mayor of the municipality of Njombe - Penja, Department of the Mungo, was welcomed by close persons who came out in their numbers to experience the last episode of his long judicial trial.

Accused of embezzlement of public funds and inciting revolt, Kingue, who has always maintained his innocence, appealed to the supreme court. On Thursday, July 16, 2015, the High Court finally issued its verdict after two references.

The judges decided to overturn the sentences of the lower courts which deprived Paul Eric Kingué of freedom for about seven years for defect and violation of procedure. «There were two procedures before the supreme court: convictions for incitement to revolt during the riots of February 2008 and for misappropriation of State property at the municipality of Njombe - Penja.»

"I appealed all those decisions because I felt that the procedure had not been respected. The Supreme Court has sided with me in my reasoning by cancelling the Nkongsamba judgements of the Court of first instance and the judgments of the Court of appeal of the Littoral."

"Since the mandate of pre-trial detention was signed in Nkongsamba, the Supreme Court lifted the term of pre-trial detention for him be released. In effect, the Supreme Court ordered the release of Paul Eric Kingué and noted that if the procedure needs to be repeated, it will have to resume again in Nkongsamba. But, Paul Eric Kingue must get out of jail," explained Lawyer Manfo René, Council for Paul Eric Kingué.

Thus, if the complainants, on one hand the Njombe-Penja Town Hall and on the other, Plantation Haut Penja (PHP) and Daniel Songa, insist in the conviction of Paul Eric Kingué, the supreme Court recommends they repeat the procedure at the Tribunal in Nkongsamba, superior court of the Mungo region.

"In what concerns the case relating to the diversion, I believe that this case was made to harm my client because the mayor who succeeded Paul Eric Kingué had declared from the appellate court of the Littoral that the Town Hall of Njombe-Penja had suffered no prejudice and did not know why they continued to prosecute his predecessor. In this case, the only procedure that can resume is the case of the riots," indicated lawyer Manfo René.

Pending the response of the complainants, which has been rejected, Paul Eric Kingue has gained his freedom. However, he will return to the Douala New Bell prison to complete the procedure for his release.