Freed Journalist, Prince Nfor Hanson Narrates His Ordeal at the 3rd Police District in Muea, Buea

My Arrest and Release, Arrest of Derrick JATO

On Sunday August 28, 2016 I received a call from Derrick Jato, Equinoxe Television Correspondent in Buea who has been in detention at the 3rd Police District in Muea, Buea, that he was ill.

I took off for Buea and arrived there by 1pm that same Sunday, I saw other sympathizers who have been following up the case. I then went to meet with the police Commissioner, a certain NDOUMBE, but was told by his secretary that he was busy. I went again the second time and was told he just left. During that time, seeing my colleague lying on two chairs joined together to resemble a bed, looking frail, I decided to take video with my phone where he narrated the story. At that time the Police Commissioner was there watching me without my knowledge and pretended as if he wasn’t aware.  

As I finished the interview, he came in and asked me to surrender my phone, bag and identify myself. I resisted because he had no identification; he was dressed in civilian. When I resisted after three attempts, he used force to seize my bag and two phones. Called his collaborators to put be behind bars for taking video in police station, resisting and disobedience. At that time he had taken my Press Card, phones and bags.
My statement was taken and I was asked to stay behind the ‘Counter’ for close to four hours.
Seems some calls were made after several persons intervened, he came and asked me to leave the Counter and follow him to his office where he made sure I delete the video I took, which was done.
But he never knew I had other photos in my other phone; the photos of Derrick you will fine below looking frail on a temporal sick bed.
I was released just at the time when the Chief of Cabinet at the Governor’s office came down upon instructions from the Governor to demand for my release.

GENESIS OF ARREST OF DERICK
Back in November 2015,a certain Tamfu met Derrick and proposed that a woman by name Bruhilda TANGEM was broke and needed to sell her car LT 222 CA. They all agreed at 1 000,000 FCFA. Derrick reportedly paid all the money in four instalments to the broker, TAMFU, who was expected to give to the owner, TANGEM.

In January2016, Derrick compiled documents, including signature of the lady and sales certificate and deposited at level of Transport Delegation for transfer of ownership and paid 130000 as charges. That document is still to come out.
That same January, we are told the owner of the car did not receive her money from the broker, so she summoned him, TAMFU, at Muea police station and they agreed that the broker will pay her money or give her a new car, for misappropriation.
Eight months now, the broker has not given the new car and the former owner of the present car now transformed into a taxi, went to the police and complained that her car has been stolen.
Derrick is arrested and forced to bring the car to the police station. But assistant state Council on duty after examining the report said Derrick should bring the documents of the Car. At the regional delegation for transport, the day he registered the document is there, but they cannot produce the said documents, eight months after.
Derrick has been detained since Wednesday, never appeared before state council even after spending more than 48 hours.

So the question we all as colleagues and even Barrister Kameni, the defense council is why should the woman sign an earlier agreement to have another car but comes back to claim ownership of the old one?
The woman in her early 40s was at the Muea Police station and kept insisting that she needs her car back, she reveals that the said broker, TAMFU, is nowhere to be found and that he has not responded to any of her calls.

It is alleged that Barrister Kameni insulted the state council, madam Mba and that she has vowed together with the Attorney General for South West to make the legal consultant  and his client to suffer for insulting the state council.
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The case has mobilized the entire region and it seems it is taking a tribal twist. It is even alleged that the woman has been sleeping with the broker that is still to be verified. It is also alleged that the two could be playing a deal to take the money of Derrick, connive and re-take the car.
Derrick is still in prison but will appear before the state council this Monday where his release is eminent.

The fight to release Derrick started with a step but we are there.
Thanks all for your unflinching support