After Bamenda, Meme Lawyers Also Marched Across The Streets Of Kumba To Denounce The New Penal Code

Members of MEME Lawyers Association marched across the streets of Kumba Monday June 27,2016 brandishing placards denouncing the adoption of the New Penal Code, as well as harmonization of education system, common law marginalization among others. Over 120 lawyers including Pupil advocates were seen on streets as they made their voices heard.They are demanding the head of state not to promulgate the controversial penal code into law. 

Their protest comes a week after those of NOWELA took to the streets for same reasons.According to reports from kumba,the lawyers have promised to boycott court sessions if such bill finally goes through at the level of the presidency.The revised version of 50 year old Cameroonian penal code has sparked reaction in recent times as the Cameroon bar through its president Barrister Jackson-Francis Ngnie Kamga writing a memo demanding on the process to be stopped.

The bar argues that the Council was not duly represented in the drafting of the bill and that most articles had serious judicial lapses.There have also been a general outcry on the article on the imprisonment of tenants who owe their landlords at least two months imprisonment .According to members of the civil society two months debt should not be punishable especially with the dwindling economic situation of the country.

SDF MPS who form the SDF parliamentary group at the national assembly expressed their dissatisfaction on the bill by walking out at the time of adoption,the MPS picked holes especially with article 127 which grants government ministers parliamentary immunity