The grave illegality of the retrial order in the “Nera Ten” case

The recent decision of the Supreme Court of Cameroon ordering a retrial in the “Nera Ten” case is not merely controversial, it is, with respect, a profound departure from settled principles of criminal law and a dangerous affront to the guarantees of personal liberty. This matter must be called what it is: a judicial endorsement of repeated prosecution in circumstances where the law demands finality. Notedly, Section 359 of the Criminal Procedure Code is clear in its spirit and effect: where a conviction cannot stand, the Court must confront the evidence and pronounce accordingly. It does not license the Court…