Legal icon, Barrister Bonu gets hero’s farewell

Cameroon Headlines, Buea, June 15 - Barrister Innocent Bonu has been laid to rest in his native Bambui in the North West Region, Tuesday, June 10 after two days of Judicial Honours and four funeral masses said in his honour.

Born on December 7, 1956, Bonu died last April 17 in the heart of duty. Hundreds of lawyers and members of the judiciary turned out to pay him Judicial Honours in two separate solemn ceremonies; at the Buea Court of Appeal, June 9 and at the Bamenda Court of Appeal, June 10.

The Minister of Justice was represented at the Buea Court of Appeal by Joseph Fonkwe Fongang, Procureur General of the South West Region. He said people will never forget how Bonu made them feel, describing Bonu as a tenacious lawyer whose voice still echoes in the court rooms around the country.

Francis Sama Asanga, President of the Cameroon Bar Association described the late Bonu as a legal colossus who did so much for the growth of the law practice in Cameroon and who trained so many lawyers.

Sama said “I swore that I will not publish the results of Bar Part One, unless Bonu is buried because he died working for the success of the bar exams.”

“In less than two years,” Sama said, “Bonu is the 23^rd advocate we are burying.”

Lucy Asuagbor, President of the South West Court of Appeal in an emotion packed eulogy said Bonu has gone through a trial that has defiled all the rules of procedure; one that  gave no room for submissions. “Bonu’s only charge was that his time was up” and he was not given room to plead for time.

She said Bonu’s death offers an opportunity for members of the judicial family to plead for mercy. “Time has come for us to orientate the nature of our practice.”

Barrister Akere Muna said he was greatly grieved at the demise of Bonu, but prayed God to reserve a befitting place for Bonu who died on his legal feet.

Bonu churned out over 29 advocates from his Liberty Law Firm. He was sworn into the Bar in 1989. Bonu practised as a journalist, before engaging fulltime into the legal profession. He was a legal adviser to the Catholic Diocese of Buea, among several other functions as a lawyer. Bonu leaves behind a wife and four children, three boys and a girl, to mourn him.

Eulogies

Bonu was selfless – Barrister Tanyi Bianyo Tabi

 I came to know Bonu about 13 years ago. He was a selfless person. He groomed many lawyers. It is with grieve that we bid him farewell, as he journeys to eternity.

We struggled together – Barrister Eta-Besong

 Bonu and I were in all the struggles in the Cameroon Bar. From when he became an advocate and opened his own chambers, we were together. We had our ups and down, as well as political differences, but we remained brothers. I always admired Bonu.  We even slept on one bed together with Akere Muna.  I regret that being younger than I am, he is leaving before me, but I believe that God willed it this way and has reserved a place for him.

Bonu was an umbrella – Barrister Benjamin Enow

 Barrister Bonu has been a father, a partner, and a brother. He was open-minded and had a large heart. He sought to make law practice worth its name. At Liberty Law Firm, he was an umbrella over our head and now that he has gone, we only pray that God will help us.

A model of excellence – Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle

 Barrister Bonu was a paragon, a model of excellence, an icon, a legal luminary, a very kind, a special son of this nation professional and unassuming and reliable. We’ve lost a legal colossus. I’ve come to say thank you to God for Bonu’s life.  I smile because Bonu worked so well. He was accomplished and he touched the hearts humanity. And that’s all the Lord needs from you and me.

A dedicated lawyer – Barrister Ashuntantang Tanjong

 Bonu was a dedicated lawyer, very lively and full of vitality. He was one of a kind. We are sincerely going to miss him.

An inspiration – Lady Justice Vera Ngassa, Vice President Court of Appeal Buea

 I knew him in 1984. He married my sister and so we’ve been very close family friends. As far as the profession is concerned, Bonu left a legacy. He will be remembered for the only consistent Law Reports he published. He was very eloquent and active. Indeed, he was an inspirational being.

It’s a big loss – Senator Charles Mbella Moki

 It’s a big loss. I worked with Bonu in several arenas – football, politics. I’m deeply grieved as I bid Bonu farewell. I thank God that we had a man like him among us. He made his own contributions in the development of the nation. I hope his family will be able to sustain the legacy he constructed.