UN to protect witches in Nigeria, others

Human right groups have called for an urgent United Nations (UN) action on witchcraft accusations and persecution, especially against children in Nigeria and Africa.

The groups, 21st Century Witchcraft Accusations and Persecution and Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network (WHRIN) said the UN should to take the urgent action to curb these abuses before the situation gets out of hand.

They said: “Thousands of women and children are likely to suffer horrific human rights violations each year due to the practice of accusing them of witchcraft, killing them or offering them as human sacrifices”.

Executive Director of the WHRIN, Mr. Gary Foxcroft, on their behalf said: “209 horrific cases of witchcraft accusations, multi-killings for body parts and human sacrifice were recorded on online media in 2013.

“The cases make particularly gruesome reading and are undoubtedly the tip of the iceberg of this form of abuse. We don’t know exactly how many people across the world have suffered due to these practices. But we do know that this is an emerging issue that needs more attention and constitutes a scar on the face of humanity”.

He said: “Cases were recorded in 41 countries across all continents with India, Nigeria and South Africa recording particularly high rates of abuse. In India, high rates of human sacrifice were recorded.

“In South Africa, cases of killings of people for the use of their body parts in magic prevailed. In Nigeria, numerous cases of children being accused of witchcraft were documented.”

Don't arrest or harass Sanusi- Court tells Jonathan, EFCC, ICPC, DSS, others

The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has granted an order restraining Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar; the State Security Service (SSS); and all agencies of the Federal Government from arresting and detaining suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi — or subjecting him to any form of degrading treatment.

Justice Buba Ibrahim granted the order, pending the determination of a fundamental human rights suit in which Sanusi complained of Thursday’s unlawful arrest, detention, and seizure of his passport.
Sanusi deemed the actions violations of his right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, and right to dignity of human person, as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

He is represented by former Attorney-general of Lagos State, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), and Kola Awodein (SAN).
Justice Buba fixed Friday, 28th February 2014 as return date for the matter.

Boko Haram threatens to kill Babangida, Buhari, Atiku, Ado Bayero, others

The leader of the extremist Boko Haram sect,  Abubakar Shekau, has, in a video released to journalists, threatened more attacks against Nigeria, saying his members would target Nigeria’s sources of revenue, and her refineries. 

The full text of his 28-minute video, delivered in Hausa, reads;

“My brethren…you should hold on to your weapons and continue fighting. Let them understand that our work is not confined to Yobe, Borno and Adamawa (states).

Make them understand that we are not restricted by emergency rule. They should understand we are under the canopy of Allah.

“This is the beginning. Yes, this is the beginning. “We Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad are fighting Christians wherever we meet them and those who believe in democracy, those who pursue Western education wherever we meet them.

By Allah, we will kill whoever practices Democracy. “And you the infidels of Rivers State, Niger (Delta), the town of Jonathan, Shekau is talking to you (sounds of gunshots). Shekau is talking to you, that small boy that has become the nightmare of infidels is talking to you.

“Oh you the leader of the Niger Delta, you will soon see your refinery destroyed. You will in the incoming days see your refinery you are boasting about bombed. Our refinery is Allah.

“Niger-Delta you are in trouble. Jonathan you are in trouble…Ban ki-Moon you are in trouble, Bejamin Netanyahu you are in trouble, Queen Elizabeth, you are in trouble, Babangida, Kwankwaso, Shekarau, Kashim, Buhari, you are in trouble. “Yahaya Jingir…the cleric of Jos, the advocate of ‘Boko Halal’, right? We are Boko Haram, you are Boko Halal. You will see, bastard.

“We killed Albani of Zaria. We killed Albani of Zaria. Shekau killed Albani of Zaria.Tomorrow  he will kill Jingir, the  day after tomorrow  he will kill Dapchia, the next day he will kill Wapchama, next he will kill Shehu of Borno, Ado Bayero. We rebel against you, between us and you is enmity and rancour until you believe only in Allah.

“The reason why I will kill you is you are infidels, you follow Democracy…Whoever follows Democracy is an infidel. This is Shekau, this is why I’m in enmity with you.

“Buhari is an infidel, Babangida is an infidel, Atiku is an infidel, late Yar’Adua was an infidel, Shehu of Borno is an infidel. You are all infidels. What makes you infidels is Democracy and constitution and western education…I therefore call on brethren in Kano to rise up and replicate the Baga attack.

“All these infidels we are the ones killing them. We enjoy shedding their blood. “The Koran must be supreme, we must establish Islam in this country; Not only in Borno, we will henceforth destroy any schools wherever we see them.”