Hopes of freedom for Balla and Fontem as Case is adjourned to June 7

The  prosecution has conceded to the bail of leaders of the consortium Barrister Felix Balla Nkongho and Dr Fontem Neba.
This decision was revealed May 24, 2017 following an application by the lawyers of the accused for their clients to be granted bail at the onset of the case, an application to which the prosecuting counsel asked for an adjournment to reply in a later session. The application it should be noted was made by seven erudite lawyers including London based Strass Khan.

The final decision however lies on the presiding judge who will deliver her ruling on June 7th 2017. Hopes are rife that with the prosecution not opposing, the chances that the judge will grant the bail come the 7th of June, are 90%.
The prosecution pleaded for the presiding judge to place the accused persons under judicial supervision to enhance their presence anytime need be. Judicial surveillance means Drs Balla and Fontem could be freed but given a fixed zone to live in and not go out, and could be forced to always sign a document weekly in a competent service to show that you are present in the territory.

The defense lawyers  have also pleaded that they should be confined but allowed to stay in the south west region. But a lawyer who is observing the case has told this reporter that it is likely the court will not subscribe to that, and might instead rule that they be confined  in Yaounde.
Unfortunately, the bail of the other accused persons including Mancho Bibixy were rejected on grounds the lawyers did not put a convincing case to the judge.

Coincidentally, the next court session which clashes with the Higher Judicial Council convened by the Head of state, Paul Biya will hold a day after that of some Anglophone Church leaders who have been dragged to court by a consortium of parents demanding reparation for a lost school year though school fees were collected by mission schools.