Antoinette Kongnso will for the first time in more than a year and four months spend a night at her husband’s home. She was released from the Buea Central Prison on the night of Thursday, February 16, 2023.
This comes following the ruling by the Buea Military Court on Wednesday, February 15 that found her guilty of “not reporting terrorism” while fining her FCFA 65,000. The court sentenced her to 16 months in prison but she had served more than that in pre-trial detention and was asked to be released. She was arrested for having in the past, dated a boy, who later became a separatist fighter, now called FM No Pity.
At the Buea Central Prison, she was welcomed out of the premises by her husband, family members, and loved ones.
Family members, friends, legal counsel and activists celebrate with Kongnso after her release
It was a moment of joy for the family that shed tears of joy and sang praises to God for her release. Kongnso came out of the Prison accompanied by a Human Rights Activist, Sally Ndape while some of her family members carried her dresses in a “Ghana Must Go Bag”
The process to release her took a full day. It was thanks to the intervention of her lawyers, Barrister Nkea Emmanuel and Barrister Ewule and Sally Ndape that the court finally ruled on the case that has received wide condemnation from human rights activists and the general population.
Talking to the press corps in front of the Prison, Kongnso expressed joy for finally getting her freedom saying “I thank God, my lawyers, Sally and others who stood behind and fought for my release”
Her Lawyer, Barrister Ewule thanked the Military Court and wished for it to continue freeing others. It is a win for justice, he said.
Sally Ndape was happy that Kongnso was freed at last. She however decried the hypocrisy of men who did not show any concern for Kongnso. Sally spent an entire day inside the prison to ensure Kongnso’s release. She thanked the legal team comprising Barrister Nkea, Tamfu Richard and Ewule Lyonga.
Kongnso was detained since October 2021 while she was eight months pregnant.
There were tears of joy from family members who saw their loved one freed after a grueling process
She was arrested by a certain BIR Officer who goes by the name Moja Moja on grounds that she dated a dreaded separatist fighter, Clement Mbashi, now self-styled General No Pity. She spent two months in prison and gave birth to a girl child whom she named Berinyuy (Thank you, God)
Her release comes after a long battle in the court. The Buea Appeal Court some months back freed her but demanded FCFA 3 million and two landed properties for her to leave jail. It was the Buea Military Court that finally released her.
