Woman who stole iPhone to feed son ‘rescued’ from prison

A 35-year-old woman, who could not pay a 1,200-cedi fine for stealing a mobile phone and had to spend three of five years in jail in the Northern Region, has been rescued by a philanthropist.

Teni Yisigna in 2016 stole an iPhone from her boyfriend of five months, which she sold for 150 cedis to buy food for her ‘hungry’ 10-year-old son and herself.

She was arrested and put before the Bolgatanga Circuit Court, which fined her 1,200 cedis or in default, serve three years in prison. She could however not raise the money to pay the fine.

While she was being sent to prison to begin her sentence, Teni escaped from the police escort transporting her from the Upper East Region to the Tamale Central Prisons where she was to serve her sentence.

Teni was however re-arrested on August 12, 2016 and handed a two-year jail term for escaping from lawful custody.

She eventually ended up at the Tamale Central Prisons where she served three years until a philanthropist, Chief Executive Officer of Tiyumba Hope Foundation, Fuseini Fadila, paid the 1,200-cedi fine and she was released from jail.

Fadila got to know of Teni’s story when she visited the Tamale Central Prisons to do a donation.

“I was touched on hearing her story so I discussed with my team and we quickly raised the amount and followed due process to get her out today,” she said.

Teni told 3news.com that her prison experience was a turning point in her life as she has managed to learn a trade, but said she has no funds to start a business.

“Thank God I learnt to bake bread and also prepare kenkey while in prison. If I get any support, I will go into business,” she said.

She also explained why she escaped from lawful custody, stating “I could not imagine leaving my little boy behind for years so I felt empty being transported to the Tamale Central Prisons and had to run away”.

Meanwhile, Fadila has urged the public to financially support Teni.

“I wish to call on the general public to support her financially to start a new life to impart herself and the society”.