PICTURES FROM THE WITCHCRAFT CONFERENCE IN NIGERIA, AND WHAT THE LAW SAYS ABOUT WITCHCRAFT

Despite the concerted efforts and prayers of Religious groups and organizations in Nigeria, the University of Nigeria Nsuka on Tuesday the 26th of November 2019 held Nigeria's first highly controversial and much talked about "Witchcraft 

Conference".

Organized by Egodi Uchendu, director of B.I.C. Ijomah Centre for Policy Studies at the university, the conference seeks to feature academics reviewing journals and information gathered over the years on witchcraft. The theme of witchcraft is only a topic for academic engagement.

While the conference has shown that it is not actually a gathering of people dressed in Black with pointy hats and flying on broomsticks, i think it a bit amusing to inform Nigerians about the position of Nigerian law as regards "Witchcraft".

Section 210 of Nigeria's Criminal Code Act States:

Any person who-

(a)            by his statements or actions represents himself to be a witch or to have the power of witchcraft; or

(b)            accuses or threatens to accuse any person with being a witch or with having the power of witchcraft; or

(c)            makes or sells or uses, or assists or takes part in making or selling or using, or has in his possession or represents himself to be in possession of any juju, drug or charm which is intended to be used or reported to possess the power to prevent or delay any person from doing an act which such person has a legal right to do, or to compel any person to do an act which such person has a legal right to refrain from doing, or which is alleged or reported to possess the power of causing any natural phenomenon or any disease or epidemic; or

(d)            directs or controls or presides at or is present at or takes part in the worship or invocation of any juju which is prohibited by an order of the State Commissioner; or

(e)            is in possession of or has control over any human remains which are used or are intended to be used in connection with the worship of invocation of any juju; or

(f)            makes or uses or assists in making or using, or has in his possession anything whatsoever the making, use or possession of which has been prohibited by an order as being or believed to be associated with human sacrifice or other unlawful practice;

is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for two years.

From all incantations......sorry i mean indications, the position of Nigeria's law is unambiguous about this issue although i'd admit in my years as a lawyer with experience in Criminal litigation matters i am yet to come across a case that involves the trial of a witch. Besides if convicted, how does the Nigerian Government intend on imprisoning such a person? I doubt Nigeria's prisons are equipped for such a magical task. In my honest and somewhat facetious view i think the law against Witchcraft was promulgated in a time where myth and superstitions held sway over most Nigerians and prosecuting it in today's world would be a tough concoction.

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