Does Nigerian Law Prohibit Witchcraft?

The Nigerian criminal code forbids witchcraft, punishable by a jail term. This is particularly concerning for elderly women, children, and those who are perceived as “different”, feared, or disliked. The belief in witchcraft and its abhorrence is so entrenched that a section of the Nigerian criminal code, introduced under British colonial rule, still forbids its practice. Provocation by witchcraft, a defense to homicidal acts supposedly perpetrated under the influence of belief in witchcraft and juju, has become a plea frequently invoked by witches.

In the Niger Delta, where an extreme form of Christianity has taken root and blended with indigenous beliefs, an alarming number of children have been accused of practising witchcraft. Witchcraft stigmatization is increasingly identified as a growing human rights concern, particularly the stigmatization of children as witches and resultant child rights abuse. In 1978, anti-witch crusader Akpan Ekwong fueled panic in southeastern Nigeria, blaming witches for the bad things that happened to the Ibibio people.

The Criminal Code Act provides in Section 210 that any person who accuses any person of being a witch or having the power of witchcraft is guilty of misdemeanor and is liable to ten years in jail. Measures to ensure the elimination of harmful practices amounting to human rights violations related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks in Nigeria include measures to ensure the elimination of harmful practices amounting to human rights violations related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks in Bauchi State.

What happens if you were accused of witchcraft?

Lots of the sources in this resource are legal documents that relate to witchcraft trials. When a person was accused of witchcraft an Indictment would be drawn up, then witnesses would be called, an examination of the accused would be carried out and sometimes a confession drawn out, possibly with torture. Those found guilty would be executed. Not all accusations of witchcraft were believed, however. Even in this period, people were suspicious of attempts to pretend to be bewitched, or pretending to be a witch, and were aware that not all cases of witchcraft were genuine. For example, in this resource is the case of Katherine Malpas, who’s relatives pretended she was a witch for their own financial benefit.

Witchcraft caused great fear within society, but it also often became a function of normal life. Somebody new to a community might be accused of witchcraft because his or her neighbours were suspicious of them. Sometimes a person might pretend to be bewitched because it was a way of making money. People were more suspicious of witchcraft when the harvest failed, as they looked to find a cause. Witchcraft trials became ways for grievances and disputes to be aired, and for people to stand in testimony for or against their neighbours. In many ways, therefore, understanding the history of witchcraft tells us less about the supernatural than it does about the realities of everyday life for ordinary people in early modern England.

External links. This 30 minute talk, which features some of the documents within this collection, was delivered online on Friday 23 October 2020 by Dr Jessica Nelson. Jessica is Head of Collections (Medieval, Early Modern, Maps & Legal) at The National Archives:

What is the number one killer in Nigeria?

Neonatal conditions are the leading causes of death, with malaria, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and congenital anomalies being the leading causes. Life expectancy, the number of years a person can expect to live, is crucial for assessing population health and informing health policy and initiatives. “Life expectancy at birth” is the average life expectancy a newborn could live, while “Healthy life expectancy (HALE) at birth” is the average number of years a person could live in full health from birth. Due to the lack of complete and reliable mortality data, modeling is used to estimate life expectancy, potentially leading to minor differences compared to official life tables.

What is the most criminal city in Africa?

In mid-2024, South Africa’s top 10 cities have the most alarming crime rates, with Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Port Elizabeth having the highest crime indexes. Despite a large young population, unemployment, inflation, and high living costs contribute to increased crime, especially in urban areas. Dense populations, poverty, and organized crime syndicates exacerbate the problem in cities. South African cities are predominantly at the forefront of these challenges.

What are the rules of witchcraft?

The Wiccan Rede, which states “An it harm none, do what ye will,” serves as the primary ethical guideline for Wiccans. The Threefold Law, which places emphasis on the importance of adhering to the ethical principles of “mind the Threefold Law you should, three times bad and three times good,” serves as a guiding principle for those seeking to live a positive ethical lifestyle.

What was the punishment for witchcraft?

The Witchcraft Act of 1604 was the primary English law for witchcraft, deeming it a felony. A witch convicted of a minor offense could be imprisoned for a year, while a witch found guilty twice was sentenced to death. In 1641, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay wrote the Body of Liberties, the first legal code established in New England, which included witchcraft among its capital offenses. The Act stated that if any person was a witch, they would be put to death.

However, few witches were executed in Colonial America before the Salem Witch Trials, as clear and convincing proof of a crime was needed for conviction. Legal scholars argue that accused witches were largely “deprived of the rights to which they should have been entitled under English common law”.

When did witchcraft become a crime?

During the 16th and 17th centuries, religious tensions in England led to the introduction of severe penalties for witchcraft. Henry VIII’s Witchcraft Act 1541 was the first to define witchcraft as a felony, punishable by death and forfeiture of goods and chattels. It prohibited the use of devise, practice, or exercise of witchcraft, to steal money, treasure, consume, destroy, or provoke people to unlawful love or intent.

The Act also removed the benefit of clergy, which exempted accused from the King’s courts from those convicted of witchcraft. This statute was repealed by Henry’s son, Edward VI, in 1547. The act was a significant step in addressing the issue of witchcraft in England.

What is Juju in Nigeria?

Juju is a belief system practiced in West African countries like Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana, involving the use of objects infused with magical power or the magical power itself. Juju is neither good nor bad but can be used for constructive purposes or nefarious deeds. The word juju is believed to be derived from the French joujou, meaning “plaything”, or from the Hausa language, meaning “fetish” or “evil spirit”.

It operates on the principle of spiritual contagious contact based on physical contact, where two entities with similar properties can be manipulated to reach each other. Examples of juju include hair, fingernails, clothing, shoes, socks, and jewels.

Spiritual similarity can be created by deliberately placing two things in physical contact, with one entity absorbing the qualities of the other. Amulets, charms, and mascots are common forms of juju, infused with a specific type of energy, and worn for protective purposes. Wearing these objects is expected to create paths and possibilities for the wearer, guard them against ill fortunes and evil spirits.

What is the Offence of witchcraft in Nigeria?

The Criminal Code Act, Section 210, states that any individual who makes an accusation of witchcraft or engages in activities such as the manufacture, sale, use, invocation, worship, possession of juju, drugs, charms, or control of human remains connected with witchcraft is to be regarded as a human being.

What are Nigerians mostly known for?

Nigeria, the most populous nation in the world with a black majority, has the second largest film industry in the world and serves as the fashion, technological, and creative hub in Africa. It is renowned for its vibrant and friendly energy.

What is the most criminal state in Nigeria?

Lagos State in Nigeria is the most affected in terms of crime, with property and persons crimes being the most common types reported to the police. In 2017, young people in Nigeria started a movement called EndSARS, which aimed to end violence and assault by police officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Despite the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, police brutality continues, with 12 people killed during a peaceful protest in Lagos in October 2020.

Weak institutions and prevalent corruption may be the main causes behind authoritarian and violent police, as perceived corruption can indicate the population’s trust in public offices. Recent surveys have shown that paying bribes is widespread, with 30% of respondents declaring to have paid a bribe to a public official or being asked to pay a bribe by a public official in the last months. Public bodies more likely to receive or ask for bribes include police officers, land registry officers, tax and revenue officers, public utility officers, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and prosecutors.

Nepotism is also a significant issue, with around 20% of respondents experiencing vote-buying in organized elections, slightly more in rural areas than in urban areas. This text provides general information and assumes no liability for the information given, as statistics may display more up-to-date data due to varying update cycles.