Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Yola, Adamawa State — An elderly man identified as Bello Usman, his son, Naziru Bello (20), and another young man, Ahmed Chubado (20), were arraigned on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, before Justice Benjamin Lawan Manji of the High Court in Yola on charges of culpable homicide and mischief by fire in connection with the death of a woman accused of witchcraft, court and community sources confirm.
The prosecution alleges that the trio assaulted their victim, Dudu Usman, causing fatal injuries, and thereafter set her house ablaze, offences that the state says amount to culpable homicide and unlawful destruction of property. The charges stem from events that occurred on 26 August 2025 in Digno community, Daware District in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
According to court filings, Bello Usman — aged 50 — his son and Chubado allegedly stormed the home of Dudu, who was Bello Usman’s sister, accusing her of bewitching the younger defendant, Naziru. The prosecution told the court that the defendants beat Dudu with sticks before setting fire to her residence, actions that left her severely injured. She was later rushed to a Specialist Hospital for treatment but succumbed to her injuries, as confirmed by a medical doctor on duty.
Such incidents — where individuals are targeted on suspicion of witchcraft — echo broader concerns in parts of Nigeria about violence triggered by unverified supernatural accusations. Human rights and local security analysts have documented similar cases where communal beliefs in witchcraft have led to attacks, beatings and in some instances, deaths, highlighting a persistent social and legal challenge in rural and peri‑urban communities.
When the three counts of culpable homicide and mischief by fire were read to the defendants in court, all pleaded “not guilty.” In response, Prosecution Counsel Shuaibu Musa (DLR) applied for adjournments to call witnesses, a request that was not opposed by Defence Counsel A. U. Sangare.
Justice Benjamin Lawan Manji subsequently adjourned the matter to 16, 17 and 18 February 2026, for the commencement of trial, during which both sides are expected to present evidence and testimony pertinent to the case.
The arraignment has drawn attention to the interplay of traditional beliefs, conflict resolution gaps and formal justice processes in regions where accusations of witchcraft can fuel deadly confrontations. Observers note that courts in Nigeria increasingly encounter matters involving violent acts rooted in societal fears or local disputes over supernatural causes, which courts must adjudicate within the framework of criminal law.
As the case moves forward, legal analysts and human rights advocates will be watching closely how the court navigates both the legal intricacies and the cultural contexts surrounding allegations of witchcraft and violent reprisals, which often present complex challenges for community safety and the rule of law.
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