70-year-old Woman Freed After 10 years In Adamawa Prison Awaiting Trial Over Witchcraft Allegation

A 70-year-old woman, Saraya Silma, who spent 10 years awaiting trial at the Yolde-pate Correctional Centre in Yola, over witchcraft allegations, has been granted pardon by the  Adamawa State Chief Judge, Justice Hasfat Abdulrahman.

AbdulRahman who headed the committee on prerogative of mercy, pardoned Silma and 41 other inmates.

The custodial centre had earlier presented 182 awaiting trial inmates for review, out of which 37 were convicted and 24 granted bail.

According to Punch, Silma explained that she was accused of witchcraft, an allegation that was unfounded by the complainant.

The Chief Judge, after inquiring about the residence of the accused, gave her the sum of N12,000 to transport herself back to Cameroon.

While some of those discharged were non-custodial, as they were mandated to carry out a committee service such as tidying up of public facilities in their localities, no fewer than 13 cases were reviewed downward during the exercise.

The 800-capacity correctional centre currently houses 886 inmates.

Out of the 886 inmates, 665 are awaiting trial, 185 are convicts as well as 10 are life imprisonment, and 16 are inmates on death row

Several cases were registered for consideration at the hearing except murder, theft, culpable homicide and kidnapping.

The exercise entertained both awaiting trials and convicted inmates.

Meanwhile, the Chief Judge who congratulated the beneficiaries of the exercise cautioned them against unruly behaviours forthwith.

She urged them to take their freedom as a divine intervention as well as an opportunity for them to mend their ways and lead a worthy lifestyle.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Dominic David pledged their commitment to turn over a new leaf.

While appreciating the CJ and her team, David expressed hope for a brighter future for themselves.