Akwa Ibom set up court to handle child witchcraft cases

by Azubuike Azikiwe

A family court has been created by the Akwa Ibom state government to handle cases of child witchcraft.

Justice Theresa Obot of the State High Court disclosed this while speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday.

Obot revealed that the court was created after a commission of enquiry set up to investigate allegations of child witchcraft concluded its assignment.

According to the judge, the court is set up to prosecute cases and allegations of child witchcraft in the state.

She stated that optimum attention is being given to cases of child witchcraft in the state, due to the rampant nature of stigmatization of children in the state for alleged witchcraft.

“We in the judiciary lay so much emphasis on the child witchcraft stigmatization and the courts now make it a point of duty to address those issues. So when such cases come in, we try not to limit ourselves to only the punishment of alleged child witch, but also to provide counselling,” she added.

“Because in a family court, when a child and the parents have problems, we offer reconciliation. Anybody who says a child is a witch or wizard, he or she will be prosecuted, after which they will also receive counselling.”

“So, that has helped to reduce incidences of child witchcraft in Akwa Ibom state. We are not saying that it is over, but so far the incidence has been reduced to the barest minimum.”

Furthermore, Obot commended the state government on its campaign to stop the stigmatization of children over alleged witchcraft.