Category Archives: Witchcraft

Kenya: ‘Cleansing’ ceremony to save a ‘bewitched’ woman’s life in Kilifi turns tragic

Posted on by

The following series of articles I found both interesting and relevant to include here despite their gruesome contents. Introduction under construction (webmaster FVDK)

Please note: references to links with related articles in the copied article(s) below do not work. Interested readers are recommended to use the original text, if available,

‘Cleansing’ ceremony to save a ‘bewitched’ woman’s life in Kilifi turns tragic

Published: December 1, 2024
By: Brian Ocharo – Nation, Kenya

Source: ‘Cleansing’ ceremony to save a ‘bewitched’ woman’s life in Kilifi turns tragic

Also read:

The Aged, On Edge – Witchcraft and Abuse of the Elderly in Kilifi and Kwame County (Kenya)

By Fr Gabriel Dolan, ED Haki Yetu, July 2023.

“Haki Yetu which means “Our Rights” in Swahili was created to combat oppression, injustice and promote human rights as a principle for social justice in our communities of interest.” (Source: Haki Yetu, Inc.)

For the readers’ convenience follows the Table of Contents. Interested readers are advised to use the link below to gain access to the document.

Table of Contents
Acknowledgement i
Abbreviations iii
Foreword iv
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 The concept of witchcraft at the Coast 4
1.2.1 The potency of accusations 6
1.2.2 Oath taking and cleansing rituals 7

CHAPTER TWO: WITCHCRAFT RELATED RIGHTS VIOLATIONS 10
2.1 Introduction 10
2.2 Witchcraft related Homicide 11
2.2.1 Murder trends in Kilifi 13
2.2.2 Murder trends in Kwale 14
2.3 Emerging Trends 16
2.3.1 ‘Bebabeba’ and Rise of the killings 16
2.3.2 ‘Waombezi’ – the prophets of doom 16
2.3.3 Access to Justice for Victims and Survivors 18

CHAPTER THREE: CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS 20
3.1 Land Ownership Disputes 20
3.2 Administrative Inaction and Corruption 23
3.3 Weak Legislations and Enforcement Pathways 25
3.4 Ignorance/Misinformation/Lack of Awareness 28

CHAPTER FOUR: LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK 31
4.1 The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 32
4.2 The Witchcraft Act, CAP 67 Laws of Kenya 33
4.3 Witness Protection Act, CAP 79 36
4.4 The AU Protocol to the ACHPR on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa 37

CHAPTER FIVE: MVI SI UCHAWI CAMPAIGN 40
5.1 Haki Yetu’s interventions 40
5.2 Impact of Haki Yetu’s Interventions 45
5.3 Lessons learned challenges and good practices 46

CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 47
6.1 Recommendations 47
6.2 Conclusion 52

Source: The aged, on edge – witchcraft and abuse of the elderly in Kilifi and Kwale County

Also recommended :

Return of Kilifi witch killings worries authorities

Published: April 12, 2022
By: Maureen Ongala – Nation Media Group, Kenya

Source: Return of Kilifi witch killings worries authorities

Related articles:

Cries for justice for elderly women lynched on witchcraft claims

Published: January 13, 2022
By: Kamau Maichuhie – Nation Media Group

Source: Cries for justice for elderly women lynched on witchcraft claims

And:

Rabai MP faults police for rise in elderly killings

Published: October 29, 2021
By: Maureen Ongala – Nation Media Group, Kenya

Source: Rabai MP faults police for rise in elderly killings

And:

Kisii Governor Ongwae sets up witchcraft taskforce

Published: October 26, 2021
By: Ruth Mbula – Nation Media Group, Kenya

Source: Kisii Governor Ongwae sets up witchcraft taskforce

And also:

Witchcraft murders: Uhuru urged to look into plight of elderly in Kisii

Published: October 21, 2021
By: Ruth Mbula – Nation Media Group, Kenya

Source: Witchcraft murders: Uhuru urged to look into plight of elderly in Kisii

More:

‘She tried to bargain for her life’: Woman recounts granny’s plea to killer mob

Published: October 21, 2021
By: Ruth Mbula – Nation Media Group, Kenya

Relatives at the home of Sindega Maya, 83, in Marina on Monday. Maya was among four women lynched after they were accused of engaging inn witchcraft. (Ondari Omega / National Media Group).

Source: ‘She tried to bargain for her life’: Woman recounts granny’s plea to killer mob

And:

What Kenyan law says about witchcraft

Published: October 19, 2021
By: Stella Cherono – Nation Media group, Kenya

Screenshot – see the original article for details

Source: What Kenyan law says about witchcraft

And, finally, to illustrate that the problems of superstition, the belief in witchcraft and witches and of mob justice has a long history in Kenya:

Two women lynched and houses set on fire in witchcraft claims

Published: January 15, 2017 — updated on June 29, 2020
By: By HENRY NYARORA & JOSHUA ARAKA – Nation Media Group

Source: Two women lynched and houses set on fire in witchcraft claims

Witchcraft accusations and critical thinking: combating harmful effects of dogma and superstitions in Africa – by Leo Igwe (Nigeria)

Posted on by

There’s no need to introduce Leo Igwe to the regular readers of my posts here on this site.

For those who’ve missed his articles and essays I may briefly refer to some of my previous posts, in 2018 (‘Confronting Superstition in Postcolonial Mozambique’), in 2021 (his comments on the arrest of suspected ritualists in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria), 2023 (‘Witchcraft Persecution and Advocacy without Borders in Africa’ and ‘A manifesto for a skeptical Africa’), and the current year 2024 (‘Ritual killing by 16-year-old indicates moral and educational failures’, commenting on a gruesome murder for ritual purposes in his home country Nigeria).

Leo Igwe is a famous human rights activist, an indefatigable fighter against superstition, witchcraft and ritualistic murders. In 2020 he started Advocacy for Alleged Witches. In this blog he regularly publishes on the lives of those affected by superstition and his organization’s efforts to save and/or to improve their lives.

The list of his achievements is too long to cite here, for shortness sake readers are referred to the internet where he is widely present.

Advocacy for Alleged Witches , created by Leo Igwe in 2020.

In a recent article published in Ghana Leo Igwe gives his views on witchcraft and the need to effectively fight superstition, not only in this West African country, but in all African countries. He does not hide his views and feelings, as will be clear when reading the following essay.

No need to elaborate further on his message. Let me invite you to start reading while praising Leo Igwe and the valuable work he’s doing!
(webmaster FVDK)

Witchcraft accusations and critical thinking: combating harmful effects of dogma and superstitions in Africa

Published: October 28, 2024
By: Leo Igwe – GhanaWeb

Leo Igwe works and campaigns to foster critical thinking skills in schools

Source: Witchcraft Accusations and Critical Thinking: Combating harmful effects of dogma and superstitions in Africa

South Africa: eight people arrested in Modutung after allegedly killing a woman accused of witchcraft and of kidnapping a young girl for ritual purposes 

Posted on by

The following post contains every ingredient for a horror story: a mysterious disappearance, a kidnapping, a dead body, a suspected murder for ritual purposes, muti, superstition, witchcraft and mob justice – leading to the death of the alleged perpetrator who was accused of being a witch. It’s story with only losers: the victim, an innocent 11-year old girl, the alleged witch, the village community and the rule of law.

However, the authorities have reacted swiftly, arresting eight people accused of involvement in the death of the alleged witch, a 40-year old woman named Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu, and the arson attack and the looting which took place. The police started also an investigation into the death of the young victim, Rhetabile Molapo. The girl went missing on October 13, the eruption of jungle justice occurred a week later, on October 20.

It all happened in a village called Modutung, near Taung, a small town situated in the North West Province of South Africa. Tau is the Tswana word for lion.

Among paleontologists Taung is known as the site where in 1924 the fossilised skull of a young Australopithecus africanus was discovered, named the Taung child. It was estimated to be between 2.8 and 3.3 million years old. This was an extremely important discovery in light of the origin of mankind.
(FVDK)

Warning: the following articles contain graphic details which may upset readers

Eight people arrested in Modutung after allegedly killing a woman during mob justice 

Published: October 25, 2024
By: Obakeng Maje – Taung DailyNews

Eight people were arrested by the police in Modutung village, near Taung on 25 October 2024. This follows the death of a woman, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu (40), who was burned and killed by community members on 20 October 2024.

The community members also looted spaza shops, burned Mothusiemang-Legodu’ son, Kopano Legodu (22), including her RDP house. Legodu is currently in critical condition in hospital.

Mothusiemang-Legodu, was accused of kidnapping and killing a young girl, Rethabile Molapo (11) for ritual purposes. Molapo went missing on 13 October 2024, after she was sent to go and fetch a church uniform at home. It is alleged that she was kidnapped by unknown assailants.

Her charred body was found in a pit toilet in an abandoned house three days later.

This prompted the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng to visit the area on Wednesday. Morweng, who met with both bereaved family members, said they will lead a Crime Prevention Imbizo in the troubled community.  

“The Imbizo comes as a form of intervention following my visit to the community. Last week, unrest ensued after an incident of a missing child, whose lifeless body was later found. Reportedly, tensions escalated in the community and resulted in an elderly woman’s home being set alight, leading to her demise.

“We are saddened by the unfortunate turn of events and went to visit the Jackson, as well as the Mothusiemang families. As a government, we have a great interest in the case because of the nature of how the events unfolded,” he said.

Morweng further said they have resolved to embark on an Imbizo to bring peace, stability and work together with the community in the creation of a safer community. He added that the police are thoroughly handling investigations into the matter to bring justice to the families and the community at large.

“I continue to urge everyone to remain calm and allow the police to do their work. I believe that the police will do justice to the case, the district is working together with the province and all hands are on deck.

“Investigations are underway, arrests will be made and perpetrators will be brought to book,” said Morweng.

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that a team was established to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village, in Taung on 20 October 2024.

“Eight people were arrested in the early hours of today. A detailed statement will be released later today.”

Source: Eight people arrested in Modutung after allegedly killing a woman during mob justice 

More on the same topic:

More people might be arrested in Modutung mob justice killing

Picture: Community members barricade internal road

Published: October 25, 2024
By: Obakeng Maje – Taung DailyNews

5 October 2024- Eight suspects who were arrested by a multi-disciplinary team assembled to investigate criminal activities that engulfed Modutung village, near Taung on 20 October 2024, are set to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects (seven men and a woman) aged between 29 and 45, were arrested in Modutung village for allegedly committing the crimes after a missing girl, Rethabile Molapo’s burnt body was found and retrieved from an unused pit latrine. 

Mokgwabone said following the discovery and the funeral of Molapo, some community members took the law into their own hands.

“Among others, they allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted the traditional healer’ son, Kopano Legodu (22), set alight the traditional healer, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu’s house and ultimately killed her after she managed to get out of the house.  

“Moreover, goods were looted from a tavern and a tuckshop, which were then set ablaze. The police worked tirelessly to effect the arrest of eight suspects in the early hours of today for different offences that include attempted murder and kidnapping, arson, murder and malicious damage to property,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said all suspects are expected to appear in the Taung Magistrate’s Court on 28 October 2024. He added that investigations into the matter are underway and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out.

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the success and commended the police who were involved in the investigation, tracing and subsequent arrests of the suspects. Kwena urged members of the community to remain calm and work with the police to ensure that all those who perpetrated acts of mob justice and the killing of a young girl are brought to book to face the full might of the law.     

Meanwhile, the community members have embarked on a protest. They have barricaded the internal road that links Magogong/Diplankeng and N18 road with stones and burning tyres demanding the release of those arrested.

Source: More people might be arrested in Modutung mob justice killing

Read also:

Morweng calls for calm in Magogong after woman who was accused of witchcraft torched

Picture: The charred body of Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu and her house that was torched by enraged community members  

Published: October 22, 2024
By: Obakeng Maje – Taung DailyNews

22 October 2024- The North West MEC Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng calls for calm in Magogong village, near Taung. This follows an incident of murder, torching of property and looting of a tuckshop.

This was allegedly sparked by the disappearance of a girl, Rethabile Molapo (13), on 13 October 2024. It is reported that the community was enraged by the accusations of who could be responsible for the disappearance of Molapo.

“The charred lifeless body of Molapo was discovered in a toilet of an abandoned house in Modutung village. A woman, Omphile Mothusiemang-Legodu was accused of kidnapping and killing Molapo.

“Mothusieman-Legodu was burned and killed, and also her house was torched. I strongly condemn these criminal activities and calls for calm. I plead with the community to allow the police to do their work, apprehend the culprits of this dastardly act,” he said.

Morweng further said he humbly pleaded with the community of Magogong not to take the law into their own hands and urged police to ensure that they leave no stone unturned/ He added that they must get to the bottom of this horrendous incident.

“I also urge those with information to report to the police, so that the perpetrators are speedily brought to book. No arrest has been effected so far and the motive behind the murder remains unknown,” said Morweng.

 He said investigations are ongoing and police visibility at the area has been heightened to monitor the situation. Morweng sends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Source: Morweng calls for calm in Magogong after woman who was accused of witchcraft torched

Source map: The South African Story: Chapter 1 (https://www.sakan.org.za/Saf_map.html)

‘Ritual killing by 16-year-old indicates moral and educational failures’ – Leo Igwe (Nigeria)

Posted on by

WARNING: The following post and articles contain graphic contents which may upset readers (webmaster FVDK)

The horrifying murder of a 4-year old by a 16-year old teenager in Lagos, Nigeria, has been in the news all over the African continent and elsewhere. I won’t dwell on it right now. Below I will provide a few links to articles covering the heartbreaking news.

Leo Igwe is a renown human activists who has denounced witchcraft practices and ritual related violence including murders on many occasions and I have on more than occasion drawn attention to his commendable activities. See my October 25, 2021 post.

For now I will stop. This case makes me too sad to continue. Since the crime is so repulsive I have decided not to publish the photo which accompanies the article below in its original publication and which has been included in many articles covering the same news. The following screenshot of a tweet captures the main story.

Below the reaction of Dr. Leo Igwe.
(webmaster FVDK)

Ritual Killing By 16-Year-Old Indicates Moral and Educational Failures – By Leo Igwe

Dr. Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches warns the public to be vigilant at this time and to resist any temptation to indulge in money-making rituals, or to go in search of human body parts. It is a fact, as this case shows, that people attack and murder others for ritual purposes. It is a fact that people procure human body parts for rituals. It is a fact that people indulge in some money ritual sacrifice of human body parts. However, there is no evidence that these sacrifices yield money or wealth as popularly believed and often portrayed in movies such as Nollywood films or African magic.

Published: September 17, 2024
By: Leo Igwe – Opinion Nigeria

The attention of the Advocacy for Alleged Witches has been drawn to a horrifying case of ritual attack and murder in Lagos, Nigeria. This incident involves a 16-year-old teenager, Azeez Tajudeen, who lives in the Ijanikin area in Lagos. Tajudeen lured a 4-year-old child, named Ibrahim to a nearby primary school and murdered him. He stabbed and strangled the child to death. He removed the intestines, kidneys, and private organs. Tajudeen said that a man named Osho asked him to get him some human parts and promised to pay him fifty thousand naira(thirty dollars) for the service.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches is outraged over the gruesome killing of this child and other instances of ritual attacks and bloodletting in the country. AfAW is aware of another case of ritual murder of a girl by the supposed boyfriend in another part of the country. These cases of ritual attack and killing are a clear demonstration of moral and educational failures. Skeptically oriented Nigerians must rise to the challenge of reorienting the public and promoting reason and scientific thinking.

At a time when Nigeria is going through an unprecedented economic crisis that has led to multidimensional poverty, stress and distress, despair, hunger, and uncertainties, one expects an increase in cases of ritual attacks. Many people are vulnerable; they could easily be lured to engage in ritual sacrifice and to explore purported ritual means of making money. More people are likely to embrace ritual money-making narratives or consult ritualists for some help. Ritualists and other self-acclaimed occultists will tell seekers of ritual money to go in search of human body parts.

As in this case, those who cannot get the human parts would commission others to do so on their behalf. Some people are inclined to accept such assignments and undertake to attack and murder others in the quest to make some income.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches warns the public to be vigilant at this time and to resist any temptation to indulge in money-making rituals, or to go in search of human body parts. It is a fact, as this case shows, that people attack and murder others for ritual purposes. It is a fact that people procure human body parts for rituals. It is a fact that people indulge in some money ritual sacrifice of human body parts. However, there is no evidence that these sacrifices yield money or wealth as popularly believed and often portrayed in movies such as Nollywood films or African magic.

Ritual money or wealth is fiction and has no basis in reason, science or reality. As this case has illustrated, there is an urgent need to reeducate and reorient children and youths in the country. Superstition is destroying the moral fiber of the society. And it is the responsibility of this generation of Nigerians and Africans to end ritual attacks and sacrifice. Young people are often the victims and the perpetrators because they are socialized to believe that ritual money is real. Unfortunately, it is not. At home and in schools, children and youths are taught and told about the ritual processes of achieving success. They are made to think that ritual wealth is a fact. Hence, some youths are motivated to indulge in vicious attacks and murder other human beings, including their parents and relatives. Nigerian authorities need to encourage critical thinking in schools and society. They should get students to question and examine ritual money narratives and associated superstitions. Nigeria needs to execute an intense public education and enlightenment campaign and get the public to abandon ritual money beliefs and embrace critical thinking and science-based means of making money and acquiring wealth.

Source: Ritual Killing By 16-Year-Old Indicates Moral and Educational Failures -By Leo Igwe

Related articles:

Ritual Killing By 16-Year-Old Indicates Moral and Educational Failures
By Leo Igwe – Modern Ghana; September 17, 2024

Tragedy in Lagos: 16-Year-Old Arrested for Harmful Incident Involving Neighbor
By: Medium, Nigeria; September 17, 2024

Uganda: The grim badge of human sacrifice – Details of the Annual Crime Report 2023

Posted on by

In February of the current year the Ugandan police launched the Annual Crime Report for 2023.

I was triggered and started searching the internet for the Crime Report after reading a recent article in the Monitor, an Ugandan online newspaper, entitled: The grim badge of human sacrifice. Unfortunately, the access to the article is restricted to subscribers (click here).

Readers interested in the article’s full contents may register and thus obtain access. The article’s beginning is quite revealing and stimulated my interest:

“The discovery of huge number of human skulls in shrines across the country shows how widespread the use of body parts is in ritualistic practices.

The police 2023 crime report show that ritual killings nearly doubled from 46 cases in 2021 to 84 cases in 2023, and increased at around 17 per cent …”

Published: February 21, 2024
By: Mpalangi Ssentongo, Depuy Photo Editor – New Vision, Uganda

The article contains a large number of photos but unfortunately hardly any relevant information.

Source: PICTURES: Police launches 2023 annual crime report

I was triggered by the scarce information on crimes for ritualistic purposes in the above cited articles and started searching on the internet.

Luckily, my search was rewarded!

On the website of the Ugandan Police Force I traced an article, published February 23, 2024 Annual Crime Report 2023 containing the full contents of the report.

The Inspector general of the Uganda Police Force, J.M. Okoth-Ochola (Esq), stated in his introductory remarks:

“It is my pleasure to present the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report for 2023 so as to account to the population on how the Uganda Police Force is fulfilling its mandate as stipulated under Article 212 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.

In 2023, we note that there was a 1.5% decrease in the number of crimes reported to Police from 231,653 cases reported in 2022 to 228,074 cases. I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to those who were able to lodge their complaints at various stations of the Uganda Police Force in the year 2023. It is these reported complaints that enable us compile Annual Crime Reports.

Relatedly, the force has focused on strengthening discipline and adherence to human rights by introducing disciplinary courts in all districts across the country. The introduction of disciplinary courts marks a significant milestone for the Uganda Police Force. These courts aim at enforcing discipline within the force, ensuring that officers adhere to professional standards and human rights. For instance, out of 933 complaints of human rights violations by the police, 794 were thoroughly investigated.”

It is a very interesting report. I will focus here on the crimes with ritualistic motives. Readers interested in other issues are advised to consult the report.

The population of Uganda by mid-2023 was estimated at 45,562,000 people. The reported number of homicides between 2019 and 2023 varied between 4,718 cases in 2019, 3,912 in 2021 and 4,248 in 2023 (Table 6, p.33).

Table 16 on p.47 gives us more details:

Here I single out two crime categories: murder by mob action (number 2) and ritual murders (number 10).

Paragraph 1.3.4.2 provides more details with respect to murders by mob action (Table 19, p.49). Unfortunately, no details are provided with respect to ritualistic crimes. On p.117 mention is made of ‘Disturbing the peace of the dead’ which may refer to a kind of criminal activities related to witchcraft and ritualistic practices but the report does not provide further details. Appendix I: Crimes by crime analysis, however, gives us some insight in ritualistic murders and the number of persons taken to court (p.130).

So we notice that in 1.8% of the reported cases of mob action witchcraft triggered the action: 18 out of 1,039 cases. Interestingly, more men than women were killed in such ‘jungle justice’ actions: 11 respectively 5. However, it cannot be ruled out that the category ‘Any other’ (Number 6) which represents more than 20% of all reported cases – and took the lives of 228 persons – also includes actions triggered by accusations of witchcraft.

We have seen above (Table 16) that the number of reported murders for ritualistic purposes in the 2021 – 2023 period were 46 (2021), 72 (2022) and 84 (in 2023) which means it nearly doubled between 2021 and 2023.

Appendix I shows that only 11 cases out of the 84 reported cases in 2023 led to the trial of the suspected ritual killers. In all, 18 accused stood trial: 14 men and 4 women. All trials were pending in court at the time of publication of the 2023 crime report.

The Ugandan authorities are to be commended for publishing such a detailed report providing insight in the motives and background of crimes committed in the country. As fas as ritualistic murders are concerned more research and analysis is needed to get a full picture of these outdated and horrific crimes which have no place in a modern society.

Uganda: The grim badge of human sacrifice

Monitor, Uganda – Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Nigeria: Delta court sentences man to death for killing twins for rituals

Posted on by

Warning: The following articles may upset readers because of the graphic contents (webmaster FVDK).

The surge in murders for ritualistic purposes and related witchcraft activities in certain SSA countries has led to an increasing cry for the restoration of the death penalty for convicted ritual killers. In recent years, several African countries have resorted to the (sometimes) re-introduction of capital punishment in an attempt to stop these criminal and outdated traditional practices. In Nigeria a number of states have adopted legislation allowing the sentencing to death of convicted ritual murderers which does not always mean that they are actually executed.

National and international organizations like Amnesty International emphasize that the death penalty breaches human rights including the right to life and the right to live free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Both rights are protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN in 1948. Nigeria is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Please note: the link which leads to the Punch article reproduced below also mentions three other cases of ritualistic killings (‘money rituals’) in Nigeria: two in Anambra State (including a suspected case of ritual killing) and one in Ogun State. Though a coincidence it illustrates well that ‘money rituals’ are rampant in Africa’s most populated country.
(webmaster FVDK)

Nigeria: Delta court sentences man to death for killing twins for rituals

Published: July 16, 2024
By: Matthew Ochei – Punch, Nigeria

A High Court sitting at Asaba, the Delta State capital, has sentenced one Onuwa Ijie to death, and Nwanozie Uzor to 14 years imprisonment for murder and conspiracy to commit the murder of twin boys, Chidalu and Chigozie Agwunobi.

The court presided over by Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro sentenced two convicts over the murder of the seven-year-old boys.

The prosecution conducted by a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Paula Akpoguma, in proof of the case called five witnesses.

The court held that the testimony of the five witnesses proved the case against the two defendants beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution stated that tragedy struck the family of Olise Agwunobi of Oko-Ogbele Community on March 5, 2020, when their seven-year-old twin boys were lured by the defendants to a bush and they proceeded to cut off their penis, eyes, tongues and hands which they hurriedly took to a native doctor at Aguleri in Anambra State.

“One of the defendants had earlier gone to the school of the twin children to take them but was turned down by the school teacher, one Mrs Emelda Ezekwude,” she said.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Marshal-Umukoro stated that after carefully evaluating the evidence presented before him, the prosecution had discharged the burden of proof as the first defendant from his confessional statement was the person who sowed the seed of committing human rituals in the mind of the second defendant by giving the phone number of one Chukwudi  Edemuzor who was alleged to be searching for twins to kill for money.

The court maintained that the law is settled that the testimony of an investigating police officer was not hearsay evidence, and the court can rely on it.

Speaking with journalists after the judgment on Tuesday, the prosecuting counsel, Akpoguma thanked the court for upholding the cause of justice, “reaffirming that the judicial system works.”

Source: Delta court sentences man to death for killing twins for rituals

Read also:

Court sentences man to death over murder of twins in Delta

Published: July 17, 2024
By: Damilare Famuyima – Pulse, Nigeria

The twins boys were seven years old (Daily Trust)

The suspect and his accomplice were said to have murdered the twin boys for ritual purposes.

Justice Onome Marshal Umukoro of a High Court in Asaba, Delta State Capital, has sentenced Onuwa Ijie to death and his accomplice, Nwanozie Uzor, to 14 years imprisonment for the murder and conspiracy to murder twin boys, Chidalu and Chigozie Agwunobi.

The sentencing came after the court heard the case against the two men for the murder of the seven-year-old boys.

Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Paula Akpoguma, led the prosecution, presenting five witnesses to support the case. 

A sixth witness, 15-year-old Iweka Ajie, the younger brother of one of the defendants, initially agreed to testify via video link but ultimately refused out of fear.

The court determined that the testimony of the five witnesses sufficiently proved the case against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt. 

According to the prosecution, on March 5, 2020, the family of Olise Agwunobi of Oko-Ogbele Community suffered a tragedy when their seven-year-old twin boys were lured to a bush by the defendants. 

There, the boys were mutilated, and their body parts were taken to a native doctor in Aguleri, Anambra State.

“One of the defendants had earlier attempted to take the children from their school but was turned away by the school teacher, Mrs. Emelda Ogugua Ezekwude,” Akpoguma said.

Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro, in his judgment, concluded that the prosecution had met the burden of proof.

He noted that the first defendant’s confessional statement indicated that he had introduced the idea of human rituals to the second defendant by providing the phone number of Chukwudi Edemuzor, who was allegedly seeking twins for ritual purposes.

The court held that the testimony of the Investigating Police Officer was admissible and not hearsay.

After the judgment, Akpoguma expressed gratitude to the court for delivering justice, reaffirming her belief in the effectiveness of the judicial system.

Source: Court sentences man to death over murder of twins in Delta

Liberia: traditional chiefs vexed with ban on trials by ordeal

Posted on by

I recently posted an article on trial by ordeal in Liberia (‘sassywood trial’) which had cost six innocent people their lives, see my July 25 post Trial by ordeal reportedly kills six in Nimba County, Liberia.

In an apparent move to abolish or at least to restrict these traditional ways of administering justice the government has tried to restrict the powers of traditional chiefs by reducing the powers of traditional chiefs in a revised Local Government Act.

Such changes are not welcomed by the traditional chiefs as the following articles describes very well. Between the lines one can read that trial by ordeal is common in Liberia, a conclusion which hardly surprises. After all, the power of the central government is concentrated in the capital Monrovia and – maybe – also in the county capitals, but deep in the interior of Africa’s oldest independent state traditional chiefs rule. This explains their resistance.

Chiefs Vexed with Ban on Trials by Ordeal
Ministry of Internal Affairs cites “lack of evidence” in witchcraft cases

Chiefs and Ministry of Internal Affairs officials having a brief meeting on Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Published: August 9, 2024
By: Daily Observer, Liberia

If you thought the idea of “witch-hunting” in Liberia was just a metaphor to describe the ruling party’s alleged attempts to clamp down on and frustrate opposition elements, think again. Now, those who are actually in the business of determining who the actual witches are, have been ordered to stop. 

Scores of traditional chiefs and elders attending the Ministry of Internal Affairs National Orientation Workshop are disenchanted over the reduction of their powers in the revised Local Government Act. The chiefs expressed their disappointment over the situation as many of their traditional powers are now transferred to the county’s culture coordinator.

The new regulations restrict the chiefs from practices such as administering sassy wood or conducting trials by ordeal on persons accused of witchcraft.

During a presentation on the topic, Roles of County Council and the National Council of Chiefs, most of the responsibilities of the chiefs were scrapped, as the presenters ordered the chiefs to “stop giving sassy wood or trial by ordeal to anyone accused of being involved in witchcraft activities.

“All Zoe activities and traditional issues will strictly be handled or monitored by the culture coordinator and then make a report to the County Superintendent,” said Assistant Minister Emmanuel Wheinyue, one of the presenters.

The chiefs voiced their frustration at the workshop, highlighting that their roles have been significantly diminished by the recent legislative changes.

Chief James Peh Ssyan of River Gee County explained that since 1847, the roles of chiefs in the country have been immersed, in terms of settling disputes in their respective chiefdoms. Now, he said, the new law is mainly designed to scrap the chiefs of their powers.

“Why do you, the book people, want to trick us, when we were elected by the elders and we used to preside over cases surrounding zoes, witchcraft activity and now you are coming to say we cannot handle matters,” Chief Ssyan asked.

Paramount Chief Domah of Nimba County asked for a description of their (chiefs’) new responsibilities, where witchcraft cases surrounding his district are concerned. The response from the presenter was that, since there is no evidence in witchcraft cases, someone who feels bewitched should go to court with his or her evidence.

Additionally, the revised Local Government Act requires chiefs to report to the district commissioner monthly, emphasizing advisory roles for paramount chiefs instead of adjudicating cases.

Even though the roles and responsibilities of the Chiefs are not spelled out, the Ministry of Internal Affairs asked all chiefs to write a report to the district commissioner every month.

The elimination of traditional practices like sassy wood rituals has sparked concerns among some attendees, who fear an increase in witchcraft activities with the abolition of customary methods.

The workshop concluded with the election of various council officials and preparations for the upcoming election of the National Council of Chiefs.

Meanwhile, day four of the conference climaxed with the election of the superintendent council and city mayor council, respectively.

The superintendents elected Nimba County Supt. Kou Meapeh Gono as Chairperson of the Supt. Council with a three-year term, while Gbarnga City Mayor was elected Chairperson of the Mayors’ Council for a term of two years.

 Mr. John Alexander Nyahn Jr. was also elected as head of the County Council Union.

Internal Affairs Minister Francis Nyumalin had a series of banquets, first for the 15 city mayors representing their counties’ capitals and on Wednesday, he prepared another banquet for 45 chiefs who had come to Ganta to participate in the event.

Meanwhile, the election for officials of the National Council of Chiefs is expected to be held on Friday, August 9, 2024.

The event gathered over 350 participants, including government officials and chiefs from across the country. These include 15 superintendents, 15 county administrative officers, 15 development officers, 15 fiscal affairs officers, 15 county council heads, all the 15 service centers’ heads, 45 chiefs, and top-level officials of the Internal Affairs Ministry, among others.

Source: Chiefs Vexed with Ban on Trials by Ordeal

Trial by ordeal reportedly kills six in Nimba County, Liberia

Posted on by

Changes come slowly, if any, in Liberia. I know this relatively sparsely populated West African country and its 5.5 million people pretty well after following events and developments in this fascinating and sympathetic country since 1975. I have posted earlier on the topic of trial by ordeal, commonly called ‘sassywood trial’ in Liberia, which of course is forbidden, outlawed, but unfortunately persistent in local culture and the minds of superstitious people. See e.g. my post of August 29, 2020, on a woman in neighboring Grand Gedeh County who had died after reportedly taking ‘sassywood’ to clear her from witchcraft accusations.

Nimba County is located in northeastern Liberia and borders French-speaking Guinea and Ivory Coast (at least, the official language, of course the various ethnic groups speak their own languages). It cannot be ruled out, rather it is to be expected, that age-old traditions such as trial by ordeal also occurs in neighboring countries where the same ethnic groups including the Dan, also known as Gio and Mano, live.
(FVDK)

Liberia: Trial By Ordeal Reportedly Kills Six In Nimba County

Published: July 24, 2024
By: Jerry T. Myers, FrontPageAfrica

GBLOR DIALAH, Nimba – A woman identified as Golon Kruah, a resident of Dialah Town, reportedly died after consuming a substance given to her by an Ivorian traditional witchdoctor, Gweh Genlaly. The witchdoctor was brought to the town by local citizens to cleanse the area of witchcraft activities.

Gweh Genlaly administered sassywood to the woman after she allegedly confessed to being involved in witchcraft activities that had claimed several lives and caused suffering to others. According to an eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity, the sassywood was given to the deceased overnight. She died hours later and was immediately buried before the arrival of security personnel and local district leaders, who were alerted about the incident in the morning.

The Acting Paramount Chief of Gblor Clan, Oksen Troh, said he had earlier warned the witchdoctor and the youth hosting her in the community against administering sassywood. However, they violated his order and went ahead with the ritual overnight.

Mr. Troh explained that his refusal to allow the administration of sassywood was based on instructions from the County Administrative Officer, who had banned trial by ordeal in Liberia. After his objection, the citizens wrote a resolution to Mr. Daniel Zekpeh, the County Administrative Officer, during his visit to the clan. Zekpeh instructed them to give the document to Troh, but it was not given to him due to his strong opposition to sassywood.

Troh said late on Monday night, they brought a document to him to sign, authorizing them to administer the oath to Golon, but he refused. He was shocked to hear that a woman had died in the community after being given sassywood overnight, prompting him to call the police and the district commissioner.

Acting Paramount Chief Troh disclosed that Golon’s death brings the number of people who have died in Gblor Clan after taking an oath from the witchdoctor to six. He clarified that previous incidents were concealed and not reported to the police by the community, and he could not report them because he was not in authority at the time. (italics added by the webmaster FVDK.)

“In the first place, Gweh working here is not a bad thing, but I received an order from my CI [County Inspector] the other time. He told me that I should tell Gweh not to give an oath. She must cut sand, she must arrest witchcraft, she must treat people to get well, but she must not give an oath because the oath she gives can kill somebody, and Liberia law says nobody should kill someone. So Liberia law doesn’t agree with that oath,” Mr. Troh explained in Liberian colloquial.

He said upon learning about the woman’s death, he immediately informed the district commissioner of the incident and was instructed to inform Gweh and her followers to keep the body of the woman until authorities arrived to conduct tests before burial. However, to his surprise, the town hurriedly buried the woman before the district commissioner and the district coroner arrived.

Meanwhile, the ten men who signed the document authorizing Gweh to conduct the sassywood have been invited for questioning.

Trial by ordeal, known as ‘sassywood,’ is banned under national law but is still regarded as a legitimate form of justice by many Liberians. In this ritual, a suspect is subjected to intense pain and judged based on their reaction. Sometimes, a hot metal is used on the person’s leg, if it burns, they are found guilty. Sometimes poisonous liquid is used. If it kills the person, they are judged to be witch.

The UN has repeatedly warned that the practice undermines efforts to improve human rights in Liberia, as the country attempts to recover from 14 years of war.

Many legal specialists and human rights activists argue that the reliance on customs such as trial by ordeal—often harmful and even deadly—is due to the decrepit state of Liberia’s judicial system. They also contend that not enough is being done to restore the sector, which was left in tatters by the war.

Source: Liberia: Trial By Ordeal Reportedly Kills Six In Nimba County

Ghanaian official: “Stop ritual killing of innocent children on the basis of witchcraft accusation.”

Posted on by

A Ghanaian official, the Oti Regional Director of Gender Department Esther Hammond, called on traditional and religious leaders to help stop child marriage and harmful cultural practices such as “ritual killing of innocent children on the basis of witchcraft accusation.” Her plea came during a consultative meeting held at Kpassa, in Nkwanta North District of the Oti Region, a newly created region, in December 2018, carved out of the northern part of the Volta Region.

The meeting was organized by the Oti Re­gional Department of Gender, in collaboration with the Oti Regional Coordinating Council, and funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Its objective was to to tackle early child mar­riage and other harmful cultural practices that impede the develop­ment of the area.

The fate of children in Ghana – as of those in other countries – who are accused of witchcraft is saddening. It leads to their exclusion, to discrimination, and other harmful practices including death. It should be stopped. I wish to thank Mrs Hammond for raising her voice against these outdated and cruel practices.
(FVDK).

Stakeholders discuss child marriage, harmful cultural practice in Nkwanta area

Published: June 11, 2024
By: Times reporter – Ghanaian Times

A consultative meeting has been held at Kpassa, in Nkwanta North District of the Oti Region, on Tuesday, to tackle early child mar­riage and other harmful cultural practices that impede the develop­ment of the area.

The meeting sought to raise awareness about negative ef­fects of child marriage, deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the issues, and equip community leaders with knowledge and skills needed to advocate policy changes and local interventions.

It was organised by the Oti Re­gional Department of Gender, in collaboration with the Oti Regional Coordinating Council, and funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFP).

The event was attended by he Oti Re­gional Department of Gender, in collaboration with the Oti Regional Coordinating Council, and funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFP). among others.

The meeting was held against the backdrop of the 2023 Ghana Statistical Service Report that showed that in the Nkwanta North District, 1,014 children aged 12 to 17 years had ever been in union, with 43.0 per cent being boys and 57.0 per cent being girls.

The report indicates that such early unions often led to poor health outcomes, increased risks of maternal and child mortality, disrupted education, entrenched poverty and gender inequality.

The Oti Regional Director of Gender Department, Esther Hammond, said despite global and national efforts to eliminate harm­ful unsafe practices, it remained a significant challenge, particularly impacting the lives of young girls.

She noted that child marriage was denying adolescent girls and boys education and apprentice­ship, resulting in deprivation and poverty.

Ms Hammond appealed to parents and guardians to desist from forcing their girls into early marriage, and rather support them to pursue education.

She called on traditional and religious leaders to help stop child marriage and harmful cultural practices such as “ritual killing of innocent children on the basis of witchcraft accusation.”

The Oti Regional Director of Social Welfare, Innocent Komla Agblosu, advised parents to seek the welfare of their children and give them proper training, to be­come responsible citizens.

He urged children to study hard, obedient and responsibilities, “because rights goes with respon­sibilities”.

The Nkwanta North District Chief Executive, William Nawugo­na, in a speech read on his behalf, gave the assurance that the assem­bly would collaborate with other stakeholders to tackle issues of child marriage and harmful cultural practices.

The District Public Health Nurse, Erasmus Awlime, sensitised the participants to health dangers of child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

The Nkwanta District Police Commander, Chief Superinten­dent of Police, Henry Ayisi Men­sah, cautioned community leaders against handling crime, especially defilement, rape, and encouraged that such cases should be prompt­ly reported to the police for the necessary action.

Source: Stakeholders discuss child marriage, harmful cultural practice in Nkwanta area

Also read:

Gender Ministry Engages Stakeholders to End Child Marriage in Nkwanta North

Source: Oti Regional Co-ordinating Council
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Republic of Ghana

Witch-trials in Angola: mass ritual killing as 50 are poisoned to death

Posted on by

It’s a tradition based on superstition and probably as old as humankind: to blame misfortune, an accident, bad harvest or a disease on a weaker person in society who then has to prove not being guilty of the accusation by drinking a poison. When surviving the ordeal the accused proves to be innocent. However, death confirms his or her assumed guilt.

It’s likely that this ugly practice exists all over the African continent. On previous occasions I have posted articles on ‘trial by ordeal’ in Liberia. This West African country is located 3,600 kilometers (or 2,236 miles) from Angola – as the crow flies – but the practice of trial by ordeal, locally called ‘sasswood (or sassywood) trial or ordeal’, is notorious in Africa’s oldest republic despite being banned by the government. See my posts of July and August 2020:
Liberia: Picnicess citizens say herbalist Tamba Bundo is doing well by exposing wizards, witches and ritualistic killers (August 30, 2020)
Liberia: woman dies after reportedly taking ‘sassywood’ to clear her innocence from witchcraft allegations (August 29, 2020)
Liberia: adolescent girl tortured, accused of witchcraft (July 5, 2020)

The ‘crazy’ practice – proving one is not guilty of an accusation is the opposite of the accepted rule of law when authorities have to prove a person is guilty of an alleged crime – makes victims on an unknown but unacceptable scale, not only in Liberia, but also in other African countries (as well as elsewhere on Planet Earth). In 2009 seven people, who were accused of witchcraft in Liberia – in River Gee County – died of whom two died after drinking the sasswood poison.

In Angola the reported deadly ‘trial by ordeall’ in Angola caused the death of more than 50 innocent people accused of being sorcerers.
These practices must be stopped!
(FVDK)

Children accused of being witches. Source: Child-witches of Nigeria seek refuge
(illustration not related to the story below)

The witch-trials of Angola: Mass ritual killing as 50 are poisoned to death after being forced to drink mysterious herbal potion to prove they were not sorcerers

  • Around 50 people died after being made to drink a herbal poison 
  • They were forced to prove they weren’t sorcerers
  • Politicians accused traditional healers of making the deadly herbal drink 

Published: March 14, 2024
By: Perkin Amalaraj – Daily Mail, UK

About 50 people have died in Angola after being forced to drink an herbal potion to prove they were not sorcerers, police and local officials said on Thursday.

The deaths occurred between January and February near the central town of Camacupa, according to Luzia Filemone, a local councillor.

Speaking to the national radio broadcaster, she accused traditional healers of administering the deadly concoction.

‘More than 50 victims were forced to drink this mysterious liquid which, according to traditional healers, proves whether or not a person practices witchcraft,’ said Filemone.

Belief in witchcraft is still common in some rural communities, despite a strong opposition from the church in the predominantly Catholic former Portuguese colony.

About 50 people have died in Angola after being forced to drink an herbal potion to prove they were not sorcerers (File image)

About 50 people have died in Angola after being forced to drink an herbal potion to prove they were not sorcerers (File image)

Angola does not have laws against witchcraft, leaving communities to deal with the issue as they see fit

Angola does not have laws against witchcraft, leaving communities to deal with the issue as they see fit

The deaths were confirmed by police that said 50 people were killed.

‘It’s a widespread practice to make people drink the supposed poison because of the belief in witchcraft,’ provincial police spokesman Antonio Hossi told the broadcaster, warning cases were on the rise.

Angola does not have laws against witchcraft, leaving communities to deal with the issue as they see fit.

Allegations of sorcery are often settled by traditional healers, or ‘marabouts’, by having the accused ingest a toxic herbal drink called ‘Mbulungo’. Death is thought to prove guilt.

Source: The witch-trials of Angola: mass ritual killing as 50 are poisoned to death after being forced to drink mysterious herbal potion to prove they were not sorcerers