Ebonyi: Ngbo Man Banished for Witchcraft Needs Justice -By Leo Igwe

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches urges the Ebonyi state government to ensure justice for a man banished for witchcraft in the state, because only justice will help stem the tide of abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs. An advocate brought to the attention of AfAW a video trending on social media a week ago. In the video, a man was banished from his community in Ebonyi state for witchcraft. The community was identified as Ngbo in Ohaukwu LGA through the state civil society network. Two advocates agreed to visit the community and confirm the victim’s fate. Some days ago, they met the victim in his maternal village, where he is taking refuge. And this man recounted his experiences:

“My name is Joseph Agwu, a farmer. I married four wives, one of whom is late, and the remaining three have many children and grandchildren for me. I am a native of Ekwashi Ngbo autonomous community in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State. Today, 16th August 2025,  is my 11th day in my maternal home in Umuezeaka Autonomous Community, Ohaukwu LGA. I ran to my maternal home for safety when my people beat me black and blue against our traditional ruler’s order, ransacked my two compounds, set some of my belongings ablaze, paraded me in our biggest market, Okwor Ngbo, and banished me for allegedly killing my brother’s child and many others via diabolical means. My attackers said I confessed to killing them when I was drunk at a burial ceremony”.

He further explained who accused him and why he did so: ” My brother Agbo Agwu, who is the traditional prime minister of my community, accused me of confessing to having killed his child, who died years ago, and many other people when I was drunk, but I am innocent. I am not a troublemaker. I am a good farmer. They just conspired and intimidated me out of my community to take over my vast lands and farms”. According to the victim, the traditional ruler unsuccessfully tried to resolve the matter: “As the accusation continued and was reported to our traditional ruler, he instructed my accusers and overzealous youths beating me, chatting scornful songs following me to stop beating me. He asked them to go to my compound and search and bring evidence for their claims. He directed them to organize the oath-taking process as our tradition demands to prove my innocence, but they ignored all the orders”.

Mr Agwu further noted how the accusation has impacted him and his family: “The banishment, according to them, is to last for five years. It was pronounced after vandalizing and setting on fire some of my belongings and items of traditional worship. My children, who tried to stop them from assaulting me, were also assaulted, even though the search parties didn’t find any evidence for their claims in my compound. Taking refuge in my maternal home, I learnt they accused one of my wives of hiding my objects of diabolism and compelled her to take an oath, whereas they refused to allow me to take an oath as the prime suspect. As if that was not enough, and to show their level of wicked conspiracy against me, some of them came here two days ago, giving my maternal uncles reasons to throw me out, which they objected to. My brother, the traditional prime minister of my community, Mr Agbo Agwu, also supplied the fuel used to destroy my properties”.

He then requests that state authorities help him secure justice: “I demand that the government and all people of goodwill help me get justice and return to my home. According to our tradition, they are supposed to let me take the oath of innocence and not to beat and banish me from my family, lands, and farms. After the said oath, if I am guilty as they claimed, I will die before the end of the year, else I will live”.

During the visit, the man who accommodated the victim, Elder Michael Nwegede Onwe, was interviewed, and he noted that efforts were being made to resolve the matter: “On behalf of our entire family, we thank you for coming to hear his version of the case. Coincidentally, today is the general meeting of our extended family, and this case was first on our agenda. We have heard from him and set up delegates to visit the traditional ruler of the Ekwashi Ngbo autonomous community to discuss the way forward. We hope that everything is resolved, and he returns to take good care of his family as soon as possible. I will not support diabolical killings. I am still harbouring him because this is an accusation without any evidence. It’s just caused by envy”.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches commends Elder Onwe for providing an emergency shelter for Mr Agwu and refusing to endorse the false and unsubstantiated allegation. Well meaning and thoughtful Nigeria should try and protect and defend accused persons.

AfAW implores the traditional and state authorities to step up and ensure that Mr Agwu gets justice. Those who accused Mr Agwu and destroyed his property should be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed. Witch hunters should be held accountable; they should be made responsible for their crimes. There should be consequences for witchcraft accusations. There should be punishment for persecution and banishment of accused persons. There should be compensation for victims. This miscarriage of justice can no longer be tolerated. The Ebonyi state authorities should fulfil their responsibility to protect citizens accused and banished for witchcraft.

AfAW will continue to support and assist Mr Agwu and other victims of witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks nation wide. Let us joins hands and end witch hunts in Nigeria.