False evidence, delays and rumors appear to play an essential role in keeping the popular singer Lapiro de Mbanga in prison. In the meantime, Lapiro de Mbanga’s health deteriorates.
Lapiro de Mbanga, the Cameroonian musician and political opponent to the current president of the country, is seemingly facing endless trials and hearings. At a recent hearing a witness admitted to have signed a document without reading it. Other witnesses have failed to appear in court due to ‘travel expenses’.
Lapiro de Mbanga was accused of having encouraged a group of young people to destroy a banana plantation. According to Freemuse's research, what really happened was that the singer was found with a camera while attempting to document what happened at a demonstration.
With witnesses failing to appear and other witnesses contradiction their earlier statements, the court case continues to be postponed.
Three years Laprio de Mbanga is an activist of the Social Democratic Front and was detained a year ago. He has been sentenced three years imprisonment.
Freemuse has expressed its concern over the arrest and the conditions in prison to the president of Cameroon. Freemuse has also urged the European Commission Office in Cameroon to observe the trials.
Lapiro de Mbanga, imprisoned since 2008 retaliates at Minister of Communication who on 30 July 2010 announced that Cameroon did not host any political prisoners
Danish politicians demand investigation of financial support to company accused of inhuman working conditions and co-responsibility for the imprisonment of singer Lapiro
On 16 June 2010, the international legal team for singer Lapiro de Mbanga filed an urgent action petition with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Freedom Now, a US-based lawyers’ advocacy organisation urges secretary-general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, to request that President Biya releases Lapiro de Mbanga
A.P. Moller - Maersk Group, the worldwide conglomerate operating in around 130 countries, is accused for being partly responsible for the imprisonment of singer Lapiro
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN has launched a new protest campaign for the continuing imprisonment of singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga
In this complicated case, there are problems of leadership, tribalism and politics. Lapiro de Mbanga’s case is a political persecution in disguise, writes journalist Jen Bell
“This was an unfair trial. Now there must be lobbying actions,” said Dr Hilaire Kamga is president of NHRC, New Human Rights Cameroon, about Lapiro's court case
"This is the trial of the voiceless," said singer Lapiro de Mbanga when he was interviewed just a few hours before a court hearing on 24 June 2009 in Douala, Cameroon
“We are full of hope”, said Lapiro de Mbanga’s lawyer, Me Augustin Mbami, in an interview about which procedures are to be undertaken next, after losing the Appeal Court
Cameroon power system strikes back at the popular singer Lapiro de Mbanga. It seems obvious that he has not got a fair trial, says Freemuse programme officer
Lapiro de Mbanga’s sentence of three years imprisonment and the fine of FCFA 280 millions was confirmed at a court hearing on 24 June 2009 in Douala, reported Jen Bell
