Barrister Edward Lyonga Ewule, one of the lead counsels of the defense team of madam Kongnso Antoinette, has saluted the decision from the inquiry control chambers of the court of appeal of the South West region, liberating the nursing mother on bail.
The judgement was passed Wednesday December 15, 2021 by justice Helen Fonachu.
“It is a fine judgement and really shows that it is not all the times that the justice system can be criticized.” Barrister Edward Lyonga Ewule, told News Upfront adding that;
“Justice Fonachu, who heard the appeal case had to x-ray the procedure starting from her arrest right up to when she was detained. She even raised the issue that at the time of her detention, the examining magistrate did not give reasons for her detention. The law is very clear, when an accused person is before the examining magistrate and the magistrate is sending the person to prison custody, (s)he must give reasons for the detention.”
If the liberation of the former girl friend of the dreaded seperatist fighter (No Pity) is good news to the legal mind, it is even a landmark decision owing to the respect of gender and human rights in the country.
“Today is a great day as far as women’s rights are concerned, it is a great day when you look at human rights in our country, it is a great day when you look at the issue of the rights of the child. You know she was arrested and detained when she was eight (8) months pregnant, and she gave birth during prison custody.” Barrister Ewule said.
It is common to find minors in prisons in Cameroon, pregnant women nursing mothers and their children continue to languish in jail in the country according to reports, reasons why the present judgement is being saluted positively by legal minds in the country.
To Barrister Ewule, this is what should have been happening in the country given that Cameroon has signed a lot of conventions.
“Cameroon has signed a lot of international conventions that protect the right of the child. We see this therefore as a starting point of justice in the country. At a time when people have lost confidence in the judiciary, the court of appeal of the South West region of Cameroon in Buea has given back hope to the hopeless. It has done justice for madam Kongnso Antoinette.” Barrister Edward Lyonga Ewule, said.
Antoinette Kongnso is accussed of dealing with the dreaded seperatist general (No Pity). An accusation she denies saying that their relationship long ended and she is now living with the father of her new born baby.
She was arrested by chief Moja Moja who masterminded her detention.
