Mimi Mefo’s Detention Is illegal – Defense Lawyer Speaks Out

One of the Defense Lawyers of the case against the Editor-in-Chief of Equinoxe English Desk Cum Blogger, Mimi Mefo, Barrister Richard Tamfu, has termed the detention of this journalist at the New Bell Central Prison as a gross violation of freedom of speech enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Cameroon Constitution.

Recounting to Equinoxe TV, Thursday, November 8, 2018, the events leading to the detention of Mimi Mefo at the New Bell Central Prison yesterday November 7, 2018, Barrister Tamfu expressed with consternation that this journalist was charged for propagating fake news despite providing a source. “When we arrived at the Legion Commander’s office in Bonanjo, he briefly read to us the charges against Mimi. From these charges, we could figure out Article 240 of the Criminal Procedure Code associated with fake news. When we went to her facebook page we saw a news she published about the death of the American Missionary, which she reported that the death was caused by fire exchanges between the Cameroon Military and Pro-independence fighters and that the bullet probably came from the military, citing a source. I am surprised that they left the source and are instead prosecuting Mimi,” he said.

The defense lawyer disclosed that on the charge on cyber criminality, the Commander noted that Mimi had published 10 pictures with regards to the Bambili incident which have been liked, disliked and shared by many. Mimi recognized the post but noted that it wasn’t of her making that the posts received likes and were shared.

Despite putting up a fierce defense against the charges leveled on Mimi Mefo, the defense lawyer was shocked that the journalist was instead asked to sign for her custody, with a new charge on the publication of information endangering state security evoked against her.

“We were all surprised that at about 6 PM, a colonel brought to us a police custody form for Mimi.  We objected to it and said no, the offenses which Mimi is being suspected to have committed, provides that she can be granted bail under Article 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code. They brainstormed and referred us to the Military State Prosecutor. It was around 8 PM that they asked us to go and meet the Military State prosecutor. When we reached his office, we realized that the tone of the offenses we came with changed and they started saying that she is being charged under the terrorism law; that her information has caused injury to the integrity of the state. We put several legal arguments and international treaties that Cameroon has ratified to no avail. We understood that things were getting worst. Around 10:30 PM, We saw an escort of about four heavily armed gendarmes, who came and drove her to the New Bell Prison,” Barrister Tamfu narrated.

He wondered why charges without substantial evidence, like the one against Mimi should warrant her appearance before the Military Tribunal. The legal luminary termed Mimi’s detention as an attack on the English speaking journalists, and the press in Cameroon as a whole.

Meanwhile, the Association of Cameroon Journalists, journalists, and media houses, have since the detention of this award-winning journalist, gone on the offensive requesting the release of their colleague using every possible media.

Mimi Mefo is expected to appear in court on Monday for continuous hearing.

B. Shancho Ndimuh