NewStats: 3,261,339 , 8,173,717 topics. Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 at 09:13 PM 63u5n

Bauchi chief judge raises concern over rising cases of witchcraft in court

The Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, has raised alarm over the increasing number of cases involving witchcraft, describing it as a persistent challenge in legal jurisprudence.

She stated this this while reviewing the cases of awaiting trial inmates at Jama’are Maximum Correctional Centre during a two-day quarterly routine visit by the istration of Justice Committee, which she chairs.

Justice Rabi said, “If you are not a witch, you cannot identify one. It is an issue that is difficult to prove unless the accused confesses.”

The istration of Justice Committee includes key legal and security officials such as the State Controller of Custodial Centres, the State Grand Khadi, the Commissioner of Police, the Director of Public Prosecution, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association in Bauchi.

During the visit, the Chief Judge cautioned judges and magistrates against imposing excessive compensation on convicts, especially in cases where fines are an option.

She noted that high compensation fees often prolong the convicts’ stay in correctional facilities.

“Moving forward, any judge who imposes unreasonable compensation on a convict will be required to pay or settle it themselves,” she warned.

Justice Rabi criticised the imposition of hefty compensation amounts such as N100,000, N200,000, or even N300,000, arguing that it encourages criminal behaviour.

She urged judges to ensure that compensation is fair while maintaining a balance between justice and mercy.

“I am troubled by the trend of excessive compensation imposed by judges. Where do you expect a convict to get such large sums? If they cannot pay, they may resort to crime again upon release just to meet the court’s demands,” she explained.

She emphasised the need for reasonability when determining compensation, adding that it is nearly impossible for a victim to recover stolen or lost property fully.

“When sentencing a convict, consider the punishment they have already served. If they have been imprisoned for two or three years, requiring them to repay the full value of stolen items could be unfair. The other party may have to forfeit something as well,” she added.

During the review exercise, she ordered the release of 18 inmates awaiting trial-seven from Jama’are Maximum Correctional Centre, seven from Bauchi Custodial Centre, three from Ningi Correctional Centre, and one from Misau Correctional Centre.

Addressing those released, she remarked, “You have been in custody for too long without being charged or taken to court. Even if convicted, your sentence would not have exceeded the time already spent here. That is why this committee has decided to release you unconditionally.”

She urged them to learn from their experience and reintegrate into society as responsible individuals, advising them to acquire skills for self-reliance.

https://dailytrust.com/bauchi-chief-judge-raises-concern-over-rising-cases-of-witchcraft/

Medieval Europe comes to mind. Smh

Justice Rabi criticised the imposition of hefty compensation amounts such as N100,000, N200,000, or even N300,000, arguing that it encourages criminal behaviour.
N100,000 is still a hefty sum o.

It’s indeed a case that is difficult to prove

“I am troubled by the trend of excessive compensation imposed by judges. Where do you expect a convict to get such large sums? If they cannot pay, they may resort to crime again upon release just to meet the court’s demands,” she explained.

Confused judge
Confused state
No wonder bala mohammed was talking thrash some weeks ago.

Lol

You go explain explain without evidence.

I don't believe in such crap

madridguy:
“I am troubled by the trend of excessive compensation imposed by judges. Where do you expect a convict to get such large sums? If they cannot pay, they may resort to crime again upon release just to meet the court’s demands,” she explained.

The idea behind such hefty funds is basically to discourage of the public from ing the criminal class.

Yes, let the criminal steal to fund it. More trouble for him or her. And anyway, there is the idea of sureties

Anyone accusing someone of witchcraft should be sentenced to a term of imprisonment because you can't identify a witch if you are not one.

Witchcraft case in court? Is there spiritual court in the state? Witchcraft is spiritual thing.

I'm trna open up the Bible
But when the judge hit the Gabble,
Now it's hard for my family to Travel

Village people doing underground works for their relatives in town and cities 👋

Decent247:
It’s indeed a case that is difficult to prove

Lol

To deny the existence of witchcraft is a signal of spiritual weakness.

Nigeria is founded on a faulty foundation so that the multi-collective attributes that supposed to proper Nigeria are the tools destroying it because of a faulty foundation.

Well, as long as a group of people keep benefiting from this faulty foundation, Nigeria will be held in bondage. So, the only way is for Nigeria to break.

My prediction is that Tinubu is setting up regional commissions that will metamorphosed into regional governments, and this will lead to a peaceful path for Nigeria to break.

2027 election might be the very last one Nigeria will have from the way things are going. And my prediction is that Tinubu will play dirty, but the new oppositions ri with the leadership of ElRufai, Atiku, and some other prominent northerners will also go for a do-or-die 2027 presidential election. Can this lead to something that will split Nigeria? In my view, the present momentum has got something to achieve it.

Perhaps these issues can make Nigeria break so that each nation that comes out of it has the opportunity to create a new solid foundation got its people. Believe me, witchcraft is embedded in religion and culture.

Goodluck!

Caramia2020:
Witchcraft case in court? Is there a spiritual court in the state? Witchcraft is a spiritual thing.

It's a traditional religion. And one of the religions in our constitution. The persecution in court has to stop. If your "god" is too weak to counter the "god" of the traditionalists then your religion or Spirituality has to be reexamined.

Traditionalists are free to worship as they see fit provided the human sacrifice of any part of the body in parts or as a whole is 100% prohibited.

Witches in that state are more than normal beings..

nairalanda1:


The idea behind such hefty funds is basically to discourage of the public from ing the criminal class.

Yes, let the criminal steal to fund it. More trouble for him or her. And anyway, there is the idea of sureties

Always best to desist from ignorant speech.

The goal of the justice system is primarily to deter crime, not create conditions that make it inevitable. Every additional prisoner is a strain on the budget of the nation, which should better be applied to development. Every citizen incarcerated for petty offenses is a loss to the society.

Even if you have no morality, you can have common sense.

I thought that, constitutionally, the law does not recognize the existence of witchcraft. It's strange for a chief judge to make such a statement.

If you are not a witch, you cannot identify one. It is an issue that is difficult to prove unless the accused confesses

They don't use sharia...yet they are fanning the embers of war in the south west.. For sharia to be introduced in the south west...

But this judge try sha... She knows her onions.
Justice must walk hand in hand with fairness and mercy.

Women are too emotional. They're the problem in this world. Imagine the nonsense garbage coming from a supposedly learned person.

Lol people dey carry witchcraft case go court or what....

If you're not a witch, you can't identify one... Word

nairalanda1:


The idea behind such hefty funds is basically to discourage of the public from ing the criminal class.

Yes, let the criminal steal to fund it. More trouble for him or her. And anyway, there is the idea of sureties

Experience is a product of years of practice. The Judge knows his/her constituency more than what is obtainable down South and, as such, is in a position to define what justice is in that geography.

MadamExcellency:


It's a traditional religion. And one of the religions in our constitution. The persecution in court has to stop. If your "god" is too weak to counter the "god" of the traditionalists then your religion or Spirituality has to be reexamined.

Traditionalists are free to worship as they see fit provided the human sacrifice of any part of the body in parts or as a whole is 100% prohibited.

What he was saying is that it is against the constitution to bring such cases to a court of law. The constitution does not recognize the existence of witchcraft.

nairalanda1:


The idea behind such hefty funds is basically to discourage of the public from ing the criminal class.

Yes, let the criminal steal to fund it. More trouble for him or her. And anyway, there is the idea of sureties

It's complicated bro. But are you aware that such criminal can kill you to rob/get the fund?

From day 1