Investments:Lawyers demand involvement in negotiations

The General Assembly of the Cameroon Bar Association finally held on Friday, May 21, 2016, in Douala after two attempts partly blamed on insufficient quorum and lack of accommodation. During the opening session presided by the President of the General Assembly, Barrister Nico Halle, it emerged that lawyers are not carried along during investment discussions in the country. Nico Halle said if there are no lawyers, there will be no law nor justice.

According to him, lawyers should constitute the foundation of the State because every act has legal implications. Thus, they have to be at the forefront of all investments and should be recognised in national and international events. Given the important role lawyers play to woo investors to Cameroon, the President of the General Assembly lamented that they are never invited for lectures during big economic forums like the just-ended Cameroon Business Forum in Yaounde to assure investors that their investments are protected.

"We analyse the legal framework and if we are not part of the package, businessmen will be disappointed. Lawyers should be there to explain the incentives investors will enjoy, the Labour Code, the Criminal Code, immigration situation, the Investment Charter and the rights and obligations of investors since they need such information before making up their minds," he explained.

Representing the Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, the State Counsel to the Littoral Court of Appeal, Jean Claude Awala Wodougue, said justice cannot exist without lawyers and enjoined them to be united and take their job seriously in order to be respected.

In the presence of the President of the Bar Association, Barrister Jackson Ngnie Kamga, Barrister Nico Halle emphasised the need for peace, unity and integrity to reign in the Bar. At the end of the meeting, lawyers resolved to hire a professional accountant and appoint a financial adviser to manage their affairs.

After observing a minute of silence for fallen soldiers and civilians as a result of the Boko Haram war, Barrister Nico Halle commended the authorities for the successful prosecution of the war.