By Ndi Eugene Ndi
Cameroonian lawyer, Barrister Emmanuel Nsahlai, president of the Nsahlai Law Firm based in the United States of America, has said the firm will use all available legal avenues to ensure those responsible for the bomb blast that killed a student and injured dozens of others in Nkambe in the Donga Mantung Division of the North West region of Cameroon are prosecuted.
Activities marking the 58th National Youth Day in Cameroon on Sunday February 11 ended abruptly in Nkambe Central when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off around the grandstand hosting the event.
The tragic incident claimed by the Ambazonia Governing Council separatist group led by Cho Ayaba Lucas resulted in a death and over 80 injured among which were four in critical conditions.
As the legal representative of multiple associations of victims of separatists’-terrorism, Barrister Nsahlai said in a public statement that the International Law Firm he leads is committed to ensuring that justice is served and that accountability is not just a word, but an action taken to honor the lives affected and lost.
“Our firm stands in solidarity with the victims and their families during this difficult time, and we pledge to use every legal avenue available to bring those responsible to justice,” Barrister Nsahlai said in the statement.
The Law Firm, Barrister Nsahlai said, is preparing to take a comprehensive legal action against the perpetrators of the heinous act that has sparked widespread condemnation both nationally and internationally.
“This includes working with international legal bodies and governments to ensure that Cho Ayaba Lucas and his associates are held accountable for their actions on an international scale,” the statement explained.
Given the international implications of the act, with the responsible party based in Norway and Germany, Barrister Nsahlai said his firm is exploring all avenues for international legal action, including engaging with Interpol, the United Nations, and relevant human rights organizations to ensure a coordinated and effective response.
Besides the legal actions, the firm also announced it will work closely with community leaders in Nkambe and beyond to support recovery efforts and strengthen community bonds in the face of such adversity.
The Youth Day blast was the first to be registered in Nkambe Central which remained relatively calm since the start of the armed conflict in the North West and South West regions.
On Tuesday, the mortal remains of Cherish Lemnyuy Bonge, 15-year-old student killed in the attack was coffined at the mortuary of the Nkambe Regional Annex and taken to her native Kumbo in the neighboring Bui Division where she was buried.
“We will not rest until those responsible for this heinous act are held accountable, and the victims and their families receive the justice they deserve” Barrister Nsahlai said.
In a claim of responsibility, Cho Ayaba said the target of the attack was the Member of Parliament for Nkambe, Hon. Ngala Gerard who separatists had been trailing for two weeks.
