Libreville, Friday November 10, 2023 (Infos Gabon) – This experienced lawyer was designated “ad hoc president” during a regular general meeting and denounces an “ordinal coup d’état” at the origin of the current cacophony.
He has been at the head of the Gabonese Bar for several days as “ad hoc president”, after his appointment by his fellow lawyers at the “Regular General Assembly”. Me Jean-Paul Moumbembé was thus invested by his peers with the mission of carrying out all useful and necessary procedures with the authorities of the Council of State so that this high administrative court discharges its referral. For him, the cacophony currently observed within the Bar is simply the result of the non-application of the Law by a section of his colleagues. “This situation was to be expected. In accordance with the law in force, an ad hoc president was unanimously elected. Its mission is to embody the idea that every lawyer must respect the spirit and letter of our law. In my opinion, there is no legal interim President of the Bar. We must stick to the law and case law on the subject. Please note that only the Council of State, in its collegial formation, is competent to appoint an interim President of the Bar. As a representative of the legalist fringe, I must continue to remind everyone of this. And this, for the general interest of our corporation,” he underlined.
According to Me Jean-Paul Moumbembé, the return to serenity within the Bar necessarily requires strict application of the law. “I will continue to advocate the application of our law, without which order would never be more than a figment. Thus, far from everyone’s ego, is the brotherhood and unity of the National Bar of Gabon,” he says. “I hold dear the cardinal values in this environment where money corrupts, while dictating evil to weak minds. It is to better insist on respect for the texts that we have chosen to apply the Law in all its rigor. My designation, by some of my legalistic peers, is simply the shepherd’s response to the shepherdess. Others should stick to this reality,” continues the ad hoc president.
Me Jean-Paul Moumbembé is supported in this approach by several of his colleagues, including Me Justin Taty who also protests against the non-application of the texts by the other camp at the origin of the current controversy. “The convening of this Assembly was not in accordance with articles 54, 55 and 56 of the law organizing the legal profession. Furthermore, the 2/3 quorum was not reached,” he denounces. According to him, « Maître Ntoutoume was reinstated by the members of an irregular General Assembly.”
Indeed, the crisis currently shaking the National Bar of Gabon dates back to last January following the invalidation of the election of Me Raymond Obame Sima as new president of the Bar Association. Me Jean-Paul Moumbembé, one of the elders of this corporation in Gabon, had denounced certain irregularities and won his case before the Council of State. Since then, the position has remained vacant. Thus opening the way to all kinds of interpretations of the law.
FIN/INFOSGABON/SM/2023
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