'Torture chambers still exist in Cameroon prisons'

The National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms, NCHRF has condemned the living conditions of inmates in some prisons in Cameroon after a delegation of the organization was coerced to visit Akonolinga central prison.

Following persistent petitions against gross human rights abuses by one Ava Eko, a former inmate of the central prison in Akonolinga, Nyong and Mfoumou division, a delegation of the NCHRF visited the prison

During the trip, the activists confirmed that, not only do torture chambers still exist in this prison, but that acts of torture perpetrated by some warders have resulted to the death of two prisoners, while several others have been rendered disabled.

Victor Sinzai who led the NCHRF delegation also had in his entourage representatives from the National Penitentiary Service, NPS. They were received in Akonolinga by the divisional officer of the council and the mayor who all accompanied the delegation to the prison.

Ava Eko showed the investigators the torture chambers where prisoners are constantly subjected to all forms of degrading and brutal treatment by warders. These man handlings, Eko revealed, had resulted to the death of two prisoners – one Joseph Nyade and one Zang Zang.

Some other inmates who have been tortured sustained incurable bodily injuries that have rendered them permanently disabled, Eko disclosed.

Those affected include Mbakok Tondi, Samuel Owono Mbita, Jean Paul Abomo, Ze Oloo and Moses Nabi Moukimo, who till date cannot even stand on his feet.

The NCHRF visitors, dismayed over what they heard and saw and went ahead to question Djou Philippe the registrar of the prison.

He agreed that the atrocities were prevailed, but was quick to add that it was in the past when his predecessor, Roger Claude Akono was in office.He equally disclosed that prison guards often acted in violation of his instructions. Prison in mates went ahead to give out the names of prison officials who usually tortured them.

They are Roger Claude Akono, Jean Marie Atangana, Alan Zock, Martin Eloundou Ebanga and Petit Akono.

Apart from torture, the prisoners also disclosed that they were denied all forms of communication and contact with their family members and lawyers. They were not allowed to communicate with them by telephone either.

“Added to these we suffer from endemic starvation as even the little food that is given to us is never good for human consumption,” the prisoners told the human rights delegation.

The prisoners also revealed that prison guards always confiscated and helped themselves with items that are meant for prisoners despite efforts by the new registrar to enforce some form of humane treatment for them.

“This prison is specially made for torture of inmates. It is not a reformatory centre,” Emmanuel Mevoungou Assang an ex-convict who spent two years in the Akonolinga principal prison told the visiting delegation.

He added that during his incarceration period, he was appointed controller of other prisoners. It was during that time, he observed that the ‘water fufu’ and groundnut sauce that was usually served to the prisoners gave them constant diarrhea leaving prison inmates in a state of perpetual poor health.

“I have many times seen prisoners being buried alive in the sand for hours. At times they tie a prisoner’s hand and leg and hang him on a wall for hours. These are the type of practices that go on there on a daily basis. I feel sick whenever I remember what goes on in that prison,” the ex-convict narrated.

Ava Eko said that, though he was sentenced for a minor offense of not having a national identity card and a driving license, he was subjected to the same treatment like hardened criminals.

“I spent 72 days in the torture chamber. It was during those days that I witnessed how Joseph Nyada and Zang Zang succumbed and died from torture.”

Eko expressed the hope that the visit by the human rights body would not only change prison conditions there but that the prevailing perception of prisoners in Akonolinga and its environs would change for the better.