Joe Dinga Pefok (Uncle Joe)
The Borgarting Appeal Court that in December 2024 rejected an appeal that was filed by Ayaba , also recently rejected an appeal letter from him pleading to the court to order his release
This pre-trail detention has been extended to August 25, 2025, while Norwegian prosecutors estimate that the trial of Ayaba could begin by January 2026
Barrister EMMANUEL NSAHLAI of the Nsahlai Law Firm, who filed the criminal complaints against Ayaba and other separatist leaders in the Diaspora, has vowed to continue “dismantling networks that sponsor separatist terrorism against innocent civilians in Cameroon”.
The Oslo District Court in Norway has again ruled against granting bail to Ayaba Cho Lucas, the incarcerated leader of one of the armed separatist groups in Cameroon known as the Abazonian Defense Forces, ADF, and has extended his pre-trial detention to August 25, 2025. The Oslo District Court in once more extending the pre-trail detention of Ayaba Cho, said there is strong suspicion that he incited crimes against humanity, and ruled that his continued detention is necessary to prevent him from escaping from justice. The court reiterated that the charge leveled against Ayaba Cho Lucas, which is Incitement To Crimes Against Humanity, Is a very serious issue.
. Before the new extension of Ayaba Cho’s pretrial detention by the Oslo District Court, the Borgating Appeal Court recently rejected an appeal letter that was addressed to the court by the detained ADF leader, pleading to the court to order his release. Worthy of note that late last year, the detained ADF leader, Ayaba Cho Lucas, filed an appeal against an earlier ruling by the Oslo District Court to extend his detention. But the Borgarting Court of Appeal in a ruling on December 6, 2024, pointed out that “the case against him is strong”, and rejected the appeal which demanded for his release from detention.
Incitement To Crimes Against Humanity
Ayaba, who is known in Norway as Yabah, has been in detention in Norway since he was arrested on September 25, 2024, and charged with Incitement to Crimes Against Humanity. This charge is related to the atrocities or horrible bestially acts committed against the civilian population, by the ADF under his command, in the ongoing Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon, like the public execution of two civilians in Guzang in 2023. Ayba Cho Lucas who also has German citizenship, had been living in Oslo, Norway for several years. It is not certain as to when the trial of the ADF leader, Ayaba Cho Lucas, will actually start. Norwegians prosecutors estimate that that the trial could begin in January 2026.
Revisiting Four Reasons Why The Oslo Court Has Continued To Maintain Ayaba Cho Lucas In Detention
It should be noted that the reasons advanced by the Prosecution, which were accepted by the Oslo District Court to justify the decision for the March 10, 2025 ruling that decided to extend Ayaba Cho’s detention, were the same like the reasons that were advanced at the May 5, 2025 court session to extend his detention by eight weeks. It was the same thing at the last session of the Oslo District Court on the Ayaba Cho’s file, that extended his pre- detention to August 25, 2025.
The reasons are as follows:
- “Detention Extended Due To High Risk Of Flight”.
The court took into consideration the argument by the Prosecution that Ayaba Cho might flee if released before the trial. The court ruled that Ayaba’s “weak ties to Norway and his prior plan to relocate to England, justified continued detention”. The court noted that Ayaba who is known in Norway as Yabah, holds “German citizenship”, and has “a residence permit in England”, where his family was planning to move.
- “Serious Charges And Strong Evidences”
The court mentioned the severity of the charges against Ayaba Cho. The court noted that Ayaba Cho is accused of Incitement to Crimes against Humanity, which carries “serious criminal penalties”, if convicted. The court noted that whatsApp messages that investigators found in Ayaba’s phone, as well as key documents in the possession of Prosecution and the court, contained “key evidences” supporting the Prosecution’s case.
- “No Bail Or Alternative Release”
The court “denied all alternative measures” (such as passport confiscation and supervised release). The court ruled that “only continued detention’ will prevent the flight by Ayaba, and thus, ensure his prosecution for the charge leveled against him.
- “Long Term Detention Expected”
The Prosecution insisted that for the reasons cited above, they “expect Yabah to remain in custody until his trial”, which may take up to two years. At the March 10, 2025 session of the Oslo District Court, the court said it considered “human rights concerns regarding prolonged detention” in the Ayaba Cho matter, but argued that “the case’s complexity and severity justified the extended detention. At the May 5, 2025 session of the Oslo District Court, the court said that the prolonged detention of Ayaba Cho Lucas conforms with international norms on human rights, considering the complexity and gravity of the affair – Incitement to Crimes Against Humanity.
Legal Counsel Of Civilian Victims Of Atrocities Committed By Armed Separatist Groups
Meanwhile, it should be noted that the recent official court ruling and the English translation, are available upon request to the Nsahlai Law Firm of Barrister Emmanuel Nsahlai, in the United States.
It should be noted that Barrister Emmanuel Nsahlai who is the legal counsel of civilian victims of atrocities committed by separatist groups in the two Anglophone Regions in Cameroon, was the one that filed the detailed criminal complaints against Ayaba Cho and other separatist leaders in the United States, Europe and Asia, that finally led to the arrest and detention of Ayaba by the Norwegian judiciary.
Barrister Emmanuel Nsahlai, who has defied all threats by armed separatist groups and their leaders against him, has vowed to continue dismantling the networks that sponsor separatist terrorism against civilians in Cameroon.
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