Yaounde Military Tribunal: Traditional Ruler Charged With Financing Terrorism

Moussa Alhadji Kanima and Abadala Dala Ousmane are said to have supplied fuel to Boko Haram militants.

Moussa Alhadji Kanima, alias Bah Blama, a third class traditional ruler from a border village with Nigeria in the Far North Region, and a vigilante group leader, Abadala Dala Ousmane, face a two-count charge of financing terrorism and non-possession of National Identity Cards. According to the prosecution at the Yaounde Military Tribunal, the offences are punishable under Article 74 of the Penal Code, Article 3 (2-b) of Law No. 2014/028 of 23/12/2014 and Article 5 of Law No. 90/042 of 19/12/1990.

Hearing in the matter resumed on October 24, 2016, with Col. Abega Mbezoa as judge. She was assisted by Lt. Col. Mboa Guy Archange and Major Ndem Victor, while Major Nzie Pierrot Narcisse and Captain Nkoa Akouna led the prosecution. The suspects were arrested on November 3, 2015 in Mora in the Far North Region. Captain Akouna said Moussa Alhadji stocked 163 litres of diesel in his home, which he supplied to Boko Haram terrorists through an intermediary, Ali Tella – who is on the run.  The offence was reportedly committed with the assistance of Abadala Dala Ousmane.

As traditional ruler, Moussa knew very well of the administrative order banning the stocking and transportation of fuel out of town, the prosecutor argued. She then asked the court to declare Moussa Alhadji Kanima and Abadala Dala Ousmane guilty of financing terrorism by supplying fuel to them; punishable under the April 4, 2003 CEMAC regulations as revised in 2010. Responding, counsel for Abadala Dala Ousmane, Bar...