Yaounde: Court hears separatist leaders' appeal today.

The court had during a brief hearing on August 20, 2026, for the third successive time, adjourned the appeal trial to today, September 17, 2026. 

The August 20, 2026 hearing, before the Military Bench of the Centre Regional Court of Appeal, was halted by the presiding judge, Justice Nganteu Richard, due to the incomplete nature of the panel of judges.

The defense counsel had raised strong objections over what they termed procedural flaws. Defense lawyers noted that official summonses were never served to appellants, five days before appearance in court, as required by law. 

They had added that due to delays in serving the summons, two-third of their colleagues holding briefs for the accused persons could not attend the session.

The hearing came months after the Supreme Court had on March 19, 2026, in decision by Justice Abomo Marie Louise, quashed the Centre Regional Court of Appeal judgment that upheld life sentences against Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, Dr Njikimbi Kwanga Cornelius, Prof Egbe Ogork Ntui, Barrister Eyambe Ebai Elias, Dr Fidelis Ndeh Che, Prof Kimeng Henry Tata, Dr Nfor Ngala Nfor, Prof Che Augustine Awasum, Barrister Shufai Blaise Sevidzem Berinyuy, and Tassang Wilfred Fombang.

The march 19 decision then marked a major twist in the case of the separatist leaders. It quashed the September 18, 2020, judgment of the Centre Regional Court of Appeal, which had confirmed the life sentences, imposed by the Yaounde Military Tribunal, on August 20, 2019. 

Speaking after the March 19 decision, a member of the defense team, Senior Barrister Akere Muna, had said the Supreme Court did not examine the grounds raised by the appellants. 

Barrister Akere Muna explained that: “The Criminal Bench of the Judicial Division of the Supreme Court delivered its ruling in the appeal brought against the judgment of the Court of Appeal of the Centre Region by Sisiku Ayuk Tabe Julius and nine others, popularly known as the ‘Nera 10."

The judgment of August 20, 2019, by the Yaounde Military Tribunal had found the appellants guilty of “secession, terrorism, and hostility against the state, among other charges” and slammed them “life sentences.”

The tribunal also imposed substantial financial penalties, including a joint civil award of 250 billion FCFA and an additional 12 billion FCFA in costs. The ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal of the Centre Region, in September 2020.

Akere Muna had explained that by quashing the decision and ordering of a fresh hearing, the Supreme Court had effectively acknowledged that serious injustice tainted the proceedings before the Centre Region Court of Appeal.

Sisiku Ayuk Tabe Julius and the other nine separatist leaders, popularly referred to as the “Nera 10,” were arrested in Nigeria, before being transferred to Cameroon to face trial.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3912 of Thursday September 17, 2026