70-Year-Old Woman Released After 10 Years In Adamawa Prison Over Witchcraft Allegation

70-Year-Old Woman Released After 10 Years In Adamawa Prison Over Witchcraft Allegation

The Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Hasfat Abdulrahaman, has granted freedom to Saraya Silma, a 70-year-old woman who had spent a decade awaiting trial at the Yolde-Pate Correctional Centre in Yola, over accusations of witchcraft.

Silma was among 42 inmates pardoned by Justice Abdulrahaman, who led a committee on the prerogative of mercy. The committee reviewed the cases of 182 awaiting trial inmates at the correctional facility, with 37 inmates convicted and 24 granted bail.

In her statement to the media, Silma explained that the witchcraft accusation was baseless, with no evidence presented by the complainant. Upon inquiring about her residence, the Chief Judge provided Silma with N12,000 to help her return to Cameroon.

While some of those pardoned were placed under non-custodial sentences—required to perform community service such as cleaning public facilities—13 other cases were re-evaluated and given lighter sentences.

The Yolde-Pate Correctional Centre, which has a capacity of 800, currently houses 886 inmates. Of these, 665 are awaiting trial, 185 are convicted, 10 are serving life sentences, and 16 are on death row.

The Chief Judge emphasized the importance of the exercise in granting freedom to deserving inmates but cautioned the beneficiaries to avoid future misconduct. She urged them to see their release as a divine intervention and an opportunity to turn their lives around.

Speaking on behalf of the pardoned inmates, Dominic David expressed gratitude to the Chief Judge and her team. He also assured them of their determination to make positive changes in their lives.