13 Nigerians regain freedom after jail terms in Cameroon

The Consul General of Nigeria to North West and South West Regions of Cameroon, Amb. Lawal Bappah, mni, in conjunction with HRM Chief Jonathan Thomas Eze Gburu Gburu, secured the release of thirteen (13) Nigerian inmates at Buea Central Prison, in the Southwest Region of the Republic of Cameroon, on Thursday, 27th July, 2023.

Chief Eze Gburu Gburu (One) of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo in Cameroon is a Nigerian business mogul and philanthropist in Cameroon.

His Excellency the Consul General paid a Consular visit to the Nigerian inmates on 14th June, 2023, and personally assessed the welfare needs of the Nigerian inmates. During the visit, he discovered that there were some Nigerian inmates who completed their jail terms but could not be released due to non-payment of fines.

Thereafter, he sought the intervention of the local authorities to ameliorate the living conditions of the inmates and possibly to secure the release of those who had completed their jail terms but not released as a result of their inability to pay their fines.

The Consul General also reached out to HRM Chief Thomas Eze Gburu Gburu, who has a long-standing record of releasing Nigerians, Cameroonians, as well as other African nationals on humanitarian grounds.

Chief Eze Gburu Gburu readily accepted to join hands with the Consulate to secure the release of the thirteen Nigerians. Subsequently, the Consulate General and HRM Eze Gburu Gburu cleared the fines for the release of the thirteen Nigerians and got them set free on Thursday, 27th July, 2023.

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In the same vein, HRM Chief Eze Gburu Gburu 1 of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo in Cameroon and Ambassador of Peace, chose to solely extend hands of kindness to five (5) Cameroonians who were languishing in the prison as a result of non-payment of their fines.

As a result, a total of eighteen (18) prisoners, comprising 13 Nigerians and 5 Cameroonians, regained their freedom from the Buea Central Prison on 27th July, 2023.

In the remarks of His Excellency, the Consul General, during the ceremony at the Buea Central Prison, he reminded the ex-convicts that they were still loved by their families, friends and most importantly by Nigeria. Speaking further, he charged them to eschew criminality; start living responsibly, and also to be very useful to their respective communities. He charged them to guard their loins and engage in legitimate businesses to become profitable members of the society.

Amb. Lawal Bappah seized the opportunity to disclose that the Consulate had prepared the necessary travel documents and transport fares to enable the affected Nigerian nationals to travel back to Nigeria.

He rounded off his speech by expressing profound appreciation to HRM Chief Eze Gburu Gburu 1 of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo in Cameroon and Ambassador of Peace; the Southwest Regional Delegate for Prison as well as the Superintendent of Buea Central Prison, for their understanding and cooperation in making the historic event a reality.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Eze Gburu Gburu advised the ex-convicts to drop whatever grievances they might have had against any individuals and to start living new life. He urged them to avoid anything that could bring them back into the prison yard.

In furtherance of his speech, Chief Gburu Gburu opined that prison simply means correction. He stated that it is a school on its own and urged them to remember Nelson Mandela of South Africa, who was once a prisoner but one of the most celebrated world leaders today; even after his death. He ended his words of encouragement by asking the ex-conflicts to go and do good with their lives in their various communities.

While reacting to a question during a press interview, Chief Gburu Gburu stated that touching lives is what he lives for, and that is what he likes to be remembered for after leaving this world.

The ex-convicts thanked God for their freedom and expressed their heart felt gratitude to the Consul General of Nigeria and HRM Chief Gburu Gburu. They promised to desist from any forms of criminality that could land them in prison again.

Nigerian inmates released are: Edem Wisdom, Emeka Smith, Clement Okon, Eta Effiong, Ifiti Godpower Paul, Emmabong, Peter Kelechi, Emmanuel Thomas Akpan, Happy William, Elvis Effiong, Ady Etom George, Who Know Tomorrow and Silas Ekandem.

Cameroonian inmates released are: Akam Bernard Ojong, Peter Nganje Sambe, Agbor Ginola, Mbange Philip Moe, Eseme Salomon Moukwele