Eight prisoners benefit from Biya’s clemency

Prisoners have been exhorted to transform their lives by becoming law abiding citizens and to guard against commiting the crimes that landed them in prison.

The Meme High Court Senior State Counsel, Justice Batuo Paul Egbe made the declaration on the occasion of the release of prisoners who benefited from the February 18, 2014 presidential clemency.

The event that took place in the premises of the Kumba main prison on Wednesday February 12, 2014, was attended by the South West Regional Delegate of Penitentiary Administration, State Counsels from Ndian and Kupe Muanenguba Divisions, the press, family members, friends and well-wishers of the freed and a cross section of the Kumba population.

The ceremony which was also addressed by the Superintendent of the Kumba main prison, witnessed the release of eight out of the 171 prisoners earmarked for release. In his address, Justice Batuo Paul observed that the released prisoners were benefiting from the 18 February presidential clemency, adding that consequently the presidential decree, the Minister of Justice had to effect that decree without delay.

He further called on the freed prisoners to become good citizens and to ensure that they do not commit crimes that would take them back to prison.

The ceremony was also graced by the presence of Christian and Islamic clergy who prayed for the freed prisoners and further urged same to put their trust in God.

In his address, the Superintendent of the Kumba main prison, Pecarie Koue Amidou, repeated what the Senior State Counsel, Justice Batuo had said, adding that the freed merited the requirements of the presidential decree of last February 18, 2014 among the requirements payment the fine(s) involved.

He further added that the rest of the prisoners out of the 171 who also benefited from the presidential clemency would be freed if they paid their fines.

Not specifying the nature of the fines, the superintendent made a clarion call to kindhearted members of the public to come to the rescue of their compatriots by assisting to pay the fines, inorder to enable them like the eight to benefit from the presidential clemency.