By Jen Bell, Freemuse's correspondent in Cameroon

Cameroonians are wondering if 26 May 2009 will be the day they hear the verdict of the famous singer Lapiro de Mbanga.

Lapiro de Mbanga, whose real name is Lambo Sandjo Pierre Roger, has already appeared in court on several occasions. Along with his supporters he has been forced to move from one adjournment to another since February 2008, when the court case was opened against him, following a strike action against high cost of living.

Lapiro was arrested while taking part in a manifestation in his native town, Mbanga. First, the hearings of 28 April 2008 were adjourned because the lawyer of the accusing party was absent, but then, on 24 September 2008, the judge found him “guilty of instigating the destruction of private and public property”. Consequently, he was given a three year imprisonment term and a fine of FCFA 280 millions.

More court cases
Lapiro - “the spokesman of the voiceless”, known for his sympathy towards the less priviledged in society, the street vendors and the unemployed - lodged an appea,l and then was ordered to appear at the Douala Court of Appeal on 13 May 2009.

On 13 May, while Lapiro was stating his own version of the incident, a group of women belonging to a religious movement appeared in court demanding his release. These women who numbered about ten and were headed by Brigitte Agoumfo, asked for the musician’s release, because, according to them, he was innocent. Insults such as “group of criminals”, “filthy corrupt people” hurled against the judges and were accompanied by leaflets.

This move caused flurry in the court room, after which the court sitting was adjourned for four hours. When the court session was reopened, it was only to be adjourned for 15 May 2009.

Absence of police officers
On 15 May, the public who came to attend the court session were surprised when they learned that the hearing had been adjourned for 26 May, because, as the presiding judge declared, “Police officers were not present in the court room. Pursuant to Article 303, the court’s security must be assured by police officers,” even though after the interrupted court hearing of 13 May, the presiding judge had promised to ensure that security would be in order for the trial of 15 May so that the hearing could be carried out under lawful conditions.

After a number of adjournments, the public in general believes that everything in Lapiro's proceedings are deliberately being slowed down. In particular, Lapiro’s defense lawyers ask themselves why the presence of police men is sought by the presiding judge with such keen interest, if that is not just an excuse for slowing down the progress of the hearings. According to some observers, the presiding judge has been ordered from a higher place to slow down the hearings. So, people would like to know who gave the order, and for what reason.

Why these adjournments?
On the part of musician's supporters, the accusations filed against Lapiro have only one purpose: to paralyze him. In one of his song tracks, he condemned the 1996 constitutional amendment which enabled the president of Cameroon to stay in power. Determined to continue his fight, Lapiro appeared in court on 13 May dressed in a black T-shirt on which was inscribed in French: “2011, c’est demain” (“2011, not long from now”).

The fans, friends and family of Lapiro who showed up in a large number for the hearings appeared to have an understanding of what this inscription means. For them it is clear that there is something fishy, something mysterious, about this case.

In Cameroon's capital Yaounde, only a few private newspapers are reporting about Lapiro’s case. It seems as if the press is not interested in following a story that goes on for so long. What people would like to know here is what exactly it is the government wants. A question that cannot have its answer before 26 May - that is if and only if there is not yet another adjournment.