A Kaduna Upper Shari’a Court in Tudun Wada has adjourned till January 16 for hearing a case filed by a woman accused of witchcraft against her accusers.
Dr Lawal Sule Abdullahi, who presided over the Upper Shari’a Court, after hearing from counsels to both parties in the suit, adjourned till January 16 for further hearing and possible judgment.
Malam Mohammed Suraju filed the case on behalf of her wife, Hadiza Abdullahi of Layin Kose, Tudun Wada, against her six sisters-in-laws and brother-in-law, all of Layin Kose, Tudun Wada, who all accused her of being a witch, for wrongful accusation and for maligning her name and character at home and within the society.
The plaintiff also joined a Kano-based native doctor, Malam Hamisu, as a co-defendant in the suit.
Malam Hamisu was invited by Hadiza’s husband’s siblings, who are the defendants, to attest to their allegation of their brother’s wife being a witch and the native doctor confirmed that through a voice note from Kano, explaining that he allegedly spoke to the spirit of the woman through some supernatural means and their allegation was found to be true.
The plaintiff urged the court to help seek incontrovertible evidence from the defendants to prove that she is truly a witch, otherwise the court should clear her name and punish them for maligning and libeling her name, integrity and character.
She said her name is now being impugned in the society, as evident in cases where she have been accused of being responsible for illnesses that befell their neighbours, even when she has nothing to do with and knew nothing about such sicknesses.
According to the plaintiff’s lawyer, Barrister Suleiman Lere, since they had all parties in court for the first time, it will be good if the judge can look at the case and resolve the issue finally on the next court day.
However, counsel to the defendants, Barrister Sadiq Garba, the whole issue is a family issue and they should be allowed to resolve the case among all the parties involved at home.
Blueprint recalls that the case started in August 2018 at Shari’a Court 1, Bachama Road, Tudun Wada Kaduna.
