SCNC activists released on bail could face anti-terrorism law

SCNC vice national chairman, Nfor Ngala Nfor and six others who were arrested recently at a private residence in Buea and put in detention were set free at about 5 p.m. on Monday.

But before leaving their Buea prison on bail, the State Counsel’s office charged them with secession, unlawful demonstration and inciting of the masses to disturb public peace.

Going by the charges, the SCNC activists could face the anti-terrorism law that prescribes death penalty on individuals who stage public demonstrations. The law, it should be recalled, punishes individuals who are found guilty of acts of terrorism and or disturbance of public peace.

Chapter II, section II, paragraph 1 of the law opens with the intent to completely annihilate any attempt of public demonstration.

It reads: “Whoever, acting alone as an accomplice or an accessory, commits or threatens to commit an act likely to cause death, endanger physical integrity, cause bodily injury or material damage, destroy natural resources, the environment or cultural heritage with intent to: a) intimidate the public, provoke a situation of terror or force the victim, the government and/or a national or international organisation to carry out or refrain from carrying out an act, adopt or renounce a particular position; b) disrupt the normal functioning of public services, the delivery of essential services to the public or create a crisis situation among the public; c) create widespread insurrection in the country; d) shall be punished with the death penalty.”

The law does not draw a clear line between acts of terrorism and public demonstration, meaning that any attempts at public manifestation can be construed to mean an act of terror by the powers that be.

Chapter II, section 4 of the bill harps on what it refers to as ‘laundering of terrorism.’ Owing to the peculiarity of the said offences, the bill places offenders exclusively under the jurisdiction of military tribunals, while the provisions of the penal code, the criminal procedure code and the military justice code that are not repugnant to the law shall, going by the law remain applicable.

Nfor Nfor and the six other activists arrested in Buea last Thursday were immediately whisked off to the central police station for detention.

Police officers arrested the activists at the private residence of a certain Kang Andrew in Molyko following a tip off, family members said. Police sources say the activists were suspected of holding an SCNC meeting without authorization.