Tag Archives: sharia court

Human Rights

Witch Persecution, Sharia Court and Legal Defence in Bornu

Leo Igwe

By Leo Igwe

Early this year, the office of the National Human Rights Commission in Bornu drew the attention of the Advocacy for Alleged Witches to the case of Maryam (not the real name), who was accused of witchcraft. Maryam is 65 years old and a single mother. Her in-laws accused her of magically causing the death of another family member. They attacked and beat her, and she sustained some injuries. Bornu is one of the sharia implementing states in Nigeria. And some Muslims take their cases to sharia courts for adjudication. Maryam took the matter to the court because her accusers threatened to murder her. “We will kill you, and nothing will happen”. They reportedly told her. 

The sharia court ruled that she should swear by the Quran that she was not responsible for the alleged harm. They agreed that if she performed the oath she could live freely in the community. But the sharia court decision did not go down well with her accusers. Their lawyers rejected the ruling of the Sharia court and appealed the judgment. The National Human Rights coordinator is trying to engage a lawyer who could defend Maryam. She contacted the AfAW.

Maryam does not have a job and does not make some significant income. She is unable to hire a lawyer. In her message to AfAW, the human rights officer said “According to them(Maryam and her supporters) they do not have some money to hire a lawyer, the person who was handling it abandoned the case because they could not afford to pay him”. The AfAW is exploring ways to support the NHRC office in Bornu to ensure that Maryam hires a lawyer. Victims of witch persecution are usually poor people like Maryam who cannot afford to pay the police to intervene in their cases or to hire a lawyer to defend them. Confronted with such situations many resign to their fate. They stay back in the community where they risk being attacked or murdered by their accusers. Or they flee their communities and take refuge in cities. But more often, they go to neighboring villages and communities. In many cases, the stigma follows them to these places, and other family and community members also reject and refuse to accommodate them. So, some alleged witches die wandering or living on the streets. 

The National Human Rights Commission should liaise with the Legal Aid Council, Ministries of Justice, Women’s Affairs, and Social Welfare, and ensure that victims of witch persecution like Maryam get the support that they need. The persecution of witches continues because these institutions are moribund. They have failed to fulfill their mission and mandate. These institutions should not allow accused persons to be doubly victimized by their accusers. To suffer witch persecution is enough tragedy. These agencies should not let the accused suffer further violation or abuse. These institutions should rise to the occasion, and help end impunity. They should synergize and rally against witch persecution in Bornu and other parts of Nigeria.

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches

Law and order, Lifestyle

Daughter drags Nigerian father to Sharia court over three forced marriages

Maravi Post Reporter

KADUNA STATE-(MaraviPost)-A man named M. Usman has been dragged to a Shari’a court sitting at Rigasa, Kaduna by his 25-year-old daughter, Sadiya who accused him of forcing her into loveless marriages.

The complainant, who resides in Rigasa, told the court that her father has forced her into three loveless marriages.

“My father arranged and forced me to marry without me knowing the man I was marrying.

My first and second marriages were all forced marriages arranged by my father. I can’t continue like this. I want the court to dissolve the marriage.” she told the court.

Sadiya further told the court that she currently lives with someone at Unguwan Sarki area of Kaduna.

On his part, the father denied the allegation of forcing his daughter into marriage. According to him, his daughter brought the man home but later rejected him.

“Her claims that she does not know him is not true. I don’t know where my daughter is currently staying. She left my house on the day of the wedding. I pray this court to order her to return home as soon as possible,” he said.

The judge, Malam Salisu Abubakar-Tureta, did not accept the prayers of the defendant, but ordered the complainant to stay under the custody of the District Head of Rigasa and adjourned the case to March 10.

Source: www.expressiveinfo.com

Human Rights, Law and order, Lifestyle, Religion

Nigerian Actress Rahama Sadau faces sharia court for wearing a backless gown

Lloyd M’bwana

ABUJA-(MaraviPost)-The last is yet be heard about the controversy that followed actress Rahama Sadau’s decision to wear a backless gown during a photoshoot.

Now, it seems the Kannywood actress will be appearing in a sharia court in Kaduna over allegations of blasphemy levelled against her after she shared racy photos on social media. 

Rahama Sadau is allegedly under police investigation for using the racy photos to trigger blasphemous comments.

It was gathered that the investigation is linked to the blasphemous comments on the Holy Prophet Mohammed the racy photos incited. 

A press release signed by Lawal Muhammad Gusau on behalf of the Concerned and Peace Loving Muslim Ummah, listed some conditions that must be met before she defends herself. 

It was also noted that the case against her “is a matter relating to the Hadiths of Prophet and the Glorious Holy Qur’an and not a matter relating to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. 

Source:www.expressiveinfo.com