Criminal Proceedings Before the Military Tribunal in Cameroon
Keywords:
Military Tribunal, Criminal, ProceedingsAbstract
The purpose of criminal law is self-protection and to prevent harm to others. Section 59(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code is to the effect that, the commission of any offence may lead to the institution of criminal proceedings and as the case may be, to a civil action. The institution of criminal proceedings aims at procuring a sentence or a preventive measure against an offender as provided by law. Civil action is intended to provide compensation for damages resulting from an offence. The criminal process commences after the commission of the offence. The victim, witness, or any person having knowledge of the circumstances may report them orally or in writing either to the State Counsel, or any other investigative agency. When the report is lodged at the State Counsel’s chambers, the State Counsel shall forward it to the competent investigative agency with specific instructions as to the manner in which investigations should be conducted. AS a result, we have courts with ordinary jurisdiction and courts with exceptional jurisdiction. Military tribunal in Cameroon, falls under the category of courts with exceptional jurisdiction and so to better apprehend this article, this work shall examine how criminal cases are investigated and tried before the military tribunal in Cameroon.
References
Law No 96/06 of 18th January 1996 amending the 1972 Cameroon Constitution
Law No. 2005/007 of 27 July 2005 creating the Cameroon Criminal Procedure Code
Law No 2008/015 of 29 December 2006 on the Organization of Judicial System in Cameroon
Law No. 2008/015 of 29 December 2008 To Organize Military Justice and Lay Down Rules of Procedure Applicable Before Military Tribunals
Law N°2014/28 of 23 December 2014 of the suppression of Acts of Terrorism.
Law No 2016/007 of the 12 July 2016 Relating to the Cameroon Penal Code
Law No. 2017/012 of 12 July 2017 amending Law No. 2008/015 of 29 December 2008 To Organize Military Justice and Lay Down Rules of Procedure Applicable Before Military Tribunals
Minister of the Armed Forces, Circular No. 2230/MINFA/ 600/359 of 30 November 1972.
Ordinance No. 72/5 of 26 August 1972 and its subsequent amendments and Ordinance No. 72/4
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