Misaka natives demand release of their ruler from detention
Despite a protest staged by natives of Misaka village in Tiko subdivision, South West region on July 12, 2024, requesting the release of their traditional ruler, HRH. Dipoko Daniel, arrested by the police in connection to a land dispute between two of his subjects, the Chief remains incarcerated at the Buea Judicial Police.
“The man promised to destabilize the village through his connections at the Buea Judicial police, simply because our Chief was against him chasing away the stepchildren from their grandfather’s land to mill oil palm on the farmland. Chief ordered that the oil palm be kept in the palace until his return since he was away. When our traditional ruler returned, he was suddenly whisked to the station.” Barrister Ndive Nganje, member of the Misaka Traditional Council recounted.
The Lawyer defending Chief Dipoko Daniel said the detention of the traditional leader is arbitrary, given that he was never issued a summons letter.
“Surprisingly, Chief wasn’t served a convocation letter but it was given to the two stepchildren. Chief had intervened saying the land didn’t belong to the man but to the children who had won the case at the Tiko Court of First Instance. That’s how they considered the chief as an accomplice”. Barrister Ndive Nganje added.
The arrest of Chief Dipoko Daniel according to his lawyer, is not in connection to the land dispute. He said, ” it’s all about chieftaincy”.
The natives who met the paramount chief of Buea and the president of the Fako Chiefs Conference were assured their chief would be released.
The Misaka natives who qualify the arrest of their traditional leader as a shameful act for trying to settle a land dispute in his village swore to return in their numbers at the Bongo square is Chief Dipoko Daniel, their traditional ruler is not released.
