Housewife Arraigned For Accusing Neighbour Of Witchcraft

A 20-year-old housewife, Adama Bello, on Thursday appeared before the Upper Area Court in Gwagwalada, FCT, for allegedly accusing her neighbour of practising witchcraft.

Bello, a resident of Yangoji, Kwali Area Council, was charged with defamation of character after her neighbour, Ms Zainab Samaila, reported the matter on April 6.

The Prosecution Counsel, Abdullahi Tanko explained that the complainant in February attended the defendant’s baby naming ceremony and gave her a bottle of palm oil and N200 as gift.

According to him, the gift items were not rejected but Bello later defamed Samaila’s character by accusing her of attempting to kill the newborn through sorcery.

According to the prosecutor, an audio recording of the defendant accusing the complainant was presented at the police station during investigation.

READ ALSO: Ritual: Truck Repairer In Police Custody For Removing Corpse Teeth, Finger Bones In Osun

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 391 of the Penal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge

The Judge, Sani Umar admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 with one reasonable and reliable surety in like sum.

Umar ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must provide two recent passport photograph.

He said that the surety must provide photocopy of his/her means of identification and the address verified by the court staff.

He said that in default the defendant should be remanded in Nigerian Correctional Centre in Suleja.

The judge adjourned the case until 14 June for hearing.