Drama at Dakpema Palace as accuser recants wild allegation of witchcraft against sister-in-law.

A 28-year old Tamale woman who peddled falsehoods about her sister-in-law being a witch, has recanted her story. The drama unfolded at Tamale Dakpema palace on Monday as Ms. Serrina Alhasan made the shocking confession.

She told elders and family members that she had lied about Hajia Muniratu Mahamud who operates a restaurant at Dakpeng Foag near Formayili being a witch.

Ms. Alhassan together with her family were compelled to appear before the Dakpemana to substantiate allegations she had made against Hajia Mahamud.

The Dakpema Gushei Naa Abukari Iddrisu who adjudicated the case on behalf of the Dakpema, Naa Alhassan Mohammed, told Zaa News the case started when the leadership of a Mosque (Odo Mosque) closer to I.K Photos came to the palace to seek permission before organizing a Quranic recitation for Allah to help flourish their business.

The palace wanted assurances from the organizers of the recitation that nothing untoward was going to take place. And, once the Palace was assured that there was no ulterior motive behind the recitation, permission was granted, the Dapkema Gushei Naa said.

According to the Palace, some sort of punishment will be imposed on Ms. Alhassan for propagating a vicious lie against Hajia whose restaurant business has taken a hit.

In a shivering voice, Ms. Alhasan admitted that she had lied. She went on to tell elders and the family of the Hajia Mahamudu that she had no evidence to back her claims. Hajia Mahamudu popularly known as Hajia Muni has stopped selling food at her restaurant since the allegation surfaced.

Narrating what happened before the incident, Ms. Alhassan told Zaa News she was returning from a wedding and decided to pass through her mother house to drop a chair.

“I dropped the chair but didn’t know how I got into the mosque and made those allegations,” she explained.

Serrina whose husband is a younger brother of Hajia Muniratu said she regretted what  happened and appealed to patrons who have stopped patronizing Hajia Muniratu’s restaurant to come back because she lied against her.

Hajia Muni who broke down in tears said she trusts Allah will be the judge.

Rampant witchcraft allegations in Tamale

Allegations of witchcraft has become common in many communities within and outside the Tamale metropolis.

While some of those who pronounced other people witches sometimes took the law into their own hands and meted out instant justice to the alleged witches, others report them to traditional rulers.

Several elderly women have suffered abuse and sometimes have been physically assaulted mostly by young men for allegedly attempting to either kill them or make their lives miserable.