Court Orders Suspended Fines To Frankline Njume And Journalism Lecturer, Dr. Kingsley Ngange Over Threats And Intimidation
On December 17, 2020, Dr. Wacka Beri Joan Ali deposited a “Preventive Engagement” complaint at the Yaoundé Court of First Instance, alleging that a certain Franklin Ekume Njume, at the time, a Bursar at the Mendong Bilingual High School in Yaounde was involved in a social media attack on her personality. Mr. Njume is said to have been supported by the Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Buea, Dr. Kingsley Lyonga Ngange.
In the document containing several pieces of evidence cited, Dr. Wacka Beri Joan Ali said she was cornered by Franklin Njume to advise him on how to handle PTA levies in strict respect of the law. But Mr. Njume did not follow her advice, so she decided to leave him alone.
“Since then, he uses social media to tarnish my reputation and sends terrifying attacks at me,” she explained.
She further said that Franklin Njume promised to defame her when she decided to let him be. Shortly after, several social media posts were made attacking her person and posing a danger to her life and those of her family, she complained.
In a social forum called “Freedom Fight” and “South West United”, Franklin Njume is said to have circulated her pictures and was allegedly supported by Dr. Kingsley Lyonga Ngange. They allegedly abused her, accused her of illegally acquiring wealth, and promised that she was not going to enjoy her building under construction, saying “She is a danger to the South West region”
The case was heard on April 23, 2021, in Yaoundé and the verdict was delivered on May 17.
The Judge at the Yaoundé Court of First Instance on Monday, May 17, 2021, found them guilty of charges and said that the intentions of the two men were obvious and geared towards creating public disorder. In a verdict, the court “Notes that the conduct of Mr. Ekume Franklin Njume and Mr. Kingsley Ngange reveals an unequivocal intention to commit a crime that is likely to disturb the public peace”
On Franklin Njume, the document signed by the Chief Clerk reads, “Commits Ekume Franklin Njume to pay to the treasury the sum of five million CFA francs if he commits an infraction of this nature within one year“
Concerning Dr. Kingsley Lyonga Ngange, Head of Department of Journalism and Mass Communication in the University of Buea, the court “Commits Kingsley Lyonga Ngange on his part to pay the sum of One million Francs CFA if he commits an infraction of this nature within one year”
The suspended fines is a warning that if such an attitude repeats itself within one year, they will pay huge fines.
They have both been given the chances to appeal this decision.
