Three suspects who used a masquerade to force a widow out of a community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra state, have been arraigned before the Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate Court in Awka, the state’s capital.
The suspects arrested by Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, in collaboration with the state police command, have been identified as Lazarus Uzor, Anozie Uzor and Valentine Okwuosa.
They reportedly banished 53-year-old Nneka Uzor on grounds of allegedly being a witch. Narrating how the incident which was captured in a viral video happened, Nneka said;
“This particular issue started when someone died in our neighbourhood and like other members of the community, I was invited to the burial which made me sleep over at our family compound. But I was surprised to be called upon around 5.30am the next morning by my uncle and brothers, Nnamdi Uzor, Lazarus Uzor and Anozie Uzor with masquerades.
“I got dressed and was accompanied by everyone in attendance alongside the masquerade and was marched out of the community with my brothers and other relatives warning me never to step foot in Umunankwo again.”
When the charges against the suspects were read out on Monday, May 22, the suspects all pleaded not guilty.
The Chief Magistrate, Genevieve Osakwe, said the court would consider the bail application for the defendants since the offence was bailable.
They were subsequently granted bail in the sum of N700,000.
They must also provide reliable sureties in the like sum.
