Witchcraft accusation in Gushegu; Court fined woman GHC 1,200, issues bench warrant for arrest of 3

The Yendi district circuit court presided over by Mr Anthony Aduku Aidoo has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of three persons in Gushegu municipality for accusing 50 years old woman, Sumani Neina of witchcraft.

Five suspects at Gambilfonga, suburb of Gushegu have been identified as being behind the witchcraft accusation on the woman and inhuman treatment meted out to her. The suspects include a female-Asulo Ayishetu 38, Yakubu Osman – 22, Tia, Suale and Aminu.  

Out of the five suspects who accused the 50-year-old woman, three persons whose name were only given as Tia, Suale and Aminu are currently at large, and a bench warrant has been issued for their arrest.

The court on October 23,2023 fined Asulo Ayishetu 100 penalty units equivalent to GHC 1,200 after she pleaded guilty to the charges. One of the prime suspects, Yakubu Osmsn however pleaded not guilty and was remanded into police custody to reappear on November 7, 2023.

Charges

The suspects were charged for causing harm contrary to section 69 of the criminal offences act, 1960, Act 29. Presenting the facts of the case, Prosecuting Chief Inspector Nicodemus Yorke said on October 15,2023, Yakubu Osman and his three accomplices mobilized and went to beat the victim to pulp with canes and electric cables over a witchcraft allegation.

According to the prosecution, the victim’s son rushed to the house and sent his mother to Gushegu government Hospital where she was admitted for three days.

Prosecuting said Asulo Ayishetu in her investigation caution statement to the police admitted making witchcraft allegations on the victim, claiming she has been seeing the victim tormenting her in her dreams.

Yakubu Osman according to Inspector Nicodemus in his investigation caution statement to the Police also admitted giving some lashes to the victim whom he also claimed to be a witch.