I just spoke with Dr Abdullahi, the registrar of the Sharia Court of Appeal in Zamfara. He informed me that state authorities had decided to release Samaila Bala on bail. He said I should send someone to perfect the bail so Samaila would be freed immediately. I thanked him and contacted the state coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission in Zamfara, informing him of the good news. He agreed to send someone to perfect the bail. It must be recalled that an Upper Sharia court remanded Mr Bala for witchcraft and juju in June this year.
Witchcraft and Juju are offences that do not exist under Nigerian law. Bala’s imprisonment was unjust and illegal. It is an abuse of his fundamental rights. Local sources confirmed to the Advocacy for Alleged Witches that Bala had been remanded for the same offence in 2020 and 2024.
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches welcomes this development. It commends Zamfara authorities for reviewing Bala’s case. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches has campaigned with local and international organisations for Bala’s freedom. AfAW sent letters to the governor, the Attorney General, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, urging them to review Bala’s case and release him.
AfAW is delighted that the prayers have been granted and Bala will be released from jail soon. AfAW is of the view that other Nigerians like Samaila Bala could be languishing in jails in different parts of the country for similar non-existent offences or merely trumped-up charges. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches urges court and prison officers to be vigilant and report such cases for immediate action and intervention.
Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches