The Peoples of Southern Cameroon through their Counsel, Okoi Obono-Obla have written a letter to the Attorney General of the Federation of Nigeria and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) urging the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately comply with the Consent Judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/30/2002 dated the 25th March, 2002 delivered by the former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Honourable Justice Rosaline Ukeje which is in their favour. The Peoples of Southern Cameroon represented by Dr. Kevin Ngwang Gumni; Augustine Feh Ndangam; Chief Ette Otun Ayamba;Prince Achiri Mbaku, Professor Victor Mlkwele Ngoi; Dr. Martin Ngeka; Nfot Ngala Nfor; Hilter Mbinglo; Dogbima Henry K Mundam; Simon Ninpa; Shey Tafon; Paul Yiwir and Isaac Sona had sued the Federal Government of Nigeria in the Federal High Court, Abuja, by Originating Summons seeking the determination of the following questions thus: i. Whether the Union envisaged under the Southern Cameroons Plebiscite 1961 between La Republique Du Cameroun and Southern Cameroons legally took effect as contemplated by the relevant United Nations Resolutions particularly the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1352 (XIV) of 16th October 1959 and United Nations Trusteeship Council Resolution 2013 (XXIV) of 31st May 1960. ii. Whether the termination by the Government of the United Kingdom of its Trusteeship over the Southern Cameroons on 30th September 1961 without ensuring prior Implementation of the Constitutional arrangements under which the Southern Cameroons and du Republique Du Cameroun were to unite as one Federal State was not in breach of Articles 3 and 6 of the Trusteeship Agreement for the Territory of the Cameroons under British Administration approved General Assembly of the United Nations on 13th December 1946, the United Nations General Assembly Resolutions 1352 of 16 October 1959; 1608 of 2nd April 1961, the United Nations Trusteeship Council Resolution 2013 (XIV) of May 31st 1960 and Article 76 (b) of the Charter of the United Nations. iii. Was the assumption of Sovereign Powers on 1st October 1961 and the continued exercise of same by the Government of La Republique Du Cameroun over Southern Cameroons after the termination by the Government of the United Kingdom of its Trusteeship over the Territory legal and valid when the Union between Southern Cameroons and La Republique Du Cameroon contemplated by the Southern Cameroons Plebiscite 1961 had not legally taken effect? iv. Whether the peoples of Southern Cameroons are not entitled to self determination within their clearly defined territory separate from the Republique Du Cameroun? v. Whether it is the Southern Cameroons and not La Republique Du Cameroun that shares a maritime boundary with the Federal Republic of Nigeria? However the Federal Government of Nigeria sued for a settlement of the case out of court which led to the delivery of the Consent Judgment dated the 25th March, 2002 based on the agreement reached by the parties. In the letter dated the 27th January, 2013 which was served on the Attorney General on the 8th February, 2013, the Peoples of Southern Cameroons urged the Federal Government of Nigeria in the spirit of respect and adherence to the Rule of Law and Constitutionalism especially the authority and integrity of the Judicial branch of Government to take immediate steps to ensure compliance by the Federal Government of Nigeria with the Terms/Directives contained in the said Consent Judgment/ Order. The Consent Judgment directed the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take any measures as may be necessary to place the case of the peoples of the geographical entity known as at 1st October, 1960, as Southern Cameroons for self determination before the United Nation General Assembly and any other relevant International organization. The Peoples of Southern Cameroon which have been fighting for their independence from the Republic of Cameroon stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria by disobeying the said Consent Judgment have violated the hallowed principle of the Law that says that the judgment of a Court of competent Jurisdiction must be obey until it is set aside by an appellate Court. They say there is no reason whatever for the continued disobedience of the judgment in view of the fact that the Federal Government did not appeal against the said Consent Judgment/Order. Accordingly the Federal Government of Nigeria was given an ultimatum of 30 days from the receipt of the letter to take steps to ensure compliance with the said Consent Judgment/Order by the failing which they will instruct their Counsel to institute proceedings to compel the Federal Government of Nigeria to comply with the said Consent Judgment/Order.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 11:43:02 +0000
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