Judge to deliver verdict against CBC on November 21
A ruling on the lawsuit filed by three excommunicated members of the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) is set to be delivered on November 21, 2024, the Yaoundé Court of First Instance announced on November 14. The three plaintiffs—Chief Jacob Taku, Mr. Emi Emmanuel, and Mr. Albert Luma—have been expelled from the CBC and are seeking to halt the CBC’s upcoming national decentralized elections scheduled for November 23, 2024.
The defendants in the case include the CBC Executive President, Rev. Dr. Nditemeh Charlemagne; CBC Chairman, Mr. Yosimbom Mkong John; and the CBC itself.
While the case in Yaoundé is still pending, the same three plaintiffs have also filed four additional lawsuits at the Mezam High Court in Bamenda. In their legal action, the plaintiffs are praying the court for “An order for accelerated hearing between the plaintiffs and respondents, an order restraining the respondents from applying the supposed revised constitution; and for such further order as the honourable court shall deem fit and proper to make in the circumstance”. The aim of the court case is to stop the November 23 CBC elections from holding nationwide.
One of the key points of contention in the case is the revised CBC constitution, which was adopted on June 10, 2024, by a majority of over 800 CBC Christians, though more than 100 members voted against it, with five votes declared invalid. The plaintiffs argue that this constitution should not be enforced, but Barrister Sonkwa Victorine, lead counsel for the CBC, questioned the legitimacy of their opposition. “How can a constitution adopted by over 800 representatives, with only a minority voting against it, be contested by just three former CBC members?” she asked.
According to a source close to the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the revised constitution includes reforms that limit the tenure of leaders within Cameroon’s first and oldest Christian denomination and promotes greater transparency in leadership, which many see as a positive development. However, some members who favor the old system have criticized the changes and attempted to tarnish the reputation of the CBC leadership.
The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for the future of the CBC and its governance as well as its impact on evangelism – a key aspect of the CBC’s outreach.
