Twenty-five inmates have regained their freedom from the Buea Central Prison after the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Buea stepped in to settle their outstanding, unpaid court-imposed fines.
This initiative, coordinated by Joyce Mbong, shed light on a challenging loophole within Cameroon’s judicial framework: many individuals remain locked behind bars for months or even years after completing their official prison sentences, simply because they cannot afford relatively small court fees ranging from FCFA 25,000 to FCFA 100,000.
To rectify this situation, the Commission worked extensively with local courts in Buea, Limbe, Muyuka, and Mundemba to audit and verify eligible cases, cover the outstanding financial balances, and finalize the necessary legal paperwork for release. This successful intervention marks the second major wave of releases organized by the Diocese this year, following a similar operation earlier in the year that successfully secured the liberty of 29 other inmates.
During the official release ceremony, the Bishop of Buea, His Lordship Michael Bibi, emphasized that this humanitarian feat was a collective effort fueled by the generosity of local Christians, priests, religious communities, and global partners who contributed varying amounts according to their means. The Bishop explicitly acknowledged the critical support of philanthropist Pius Ambe, who has consistently mobilized financial resources for the prison ministry, as well as high-profile corporate donors like the Managing Director of Ecobank.
The Diocese’s intervention extends far beyond simply paying legal debts; the Justice and Peace Commission actively provides counseling, psychosocial support, and family mediation to ensure smooth societal reintegration.
Mbong revealed that because some families initially reject their returning relatives, the Commission frequently steps in to facilitate domestic reconciliation, while simultaneously looking for fresh funding to provide legal defense representation for inmates whose cases are stuck in legal limbo.
Addressing the newly freed individuals—who included one remarkable inmate who passed his GCE Ordinary Level exams while serving a three-year sentence—Bishop Bibi and Mbong urged them to become positive ambassadors for rehabilitation.
The leaders strongly encouraged the beneficiaries to pursue education or learn practical trades like carpentry and ICT, emphasizing that their future conduct will directly influence how welcoming the community will be toward other reformed prisoners seeking a second chance.
