Witch Hunts: Thomas Eze Needs Justice in Ebonyi State -By Leo Igwe

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches urges the governor of Ebonyi state, His Excellency Francis Nwifuru, to come to the aid of Thomas Eze. Eze is lying critically ill at Chukwubuikem Mission Hospital and Maternity, Umuogudu Akpu Ngbo in Ebonyi state following an assault by witch hunters in Aguebele. This elderly man in his 70s is undergoing treatment for injuries sustained when a local mob accused him of witchcraft and subjected him to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment in his community.

According to family sources, Eze’s ordeal started last year. In the early hours of August 21 2025, some irate youths invaded his compound and abducted him. They beat him with sticks and machetes. Some hit and kicked him in his private parts. Others tied his hands, poured some soldier ants all over his body, and forced him to lie on the ground till daybreak. The following day, the torture continued. The mob poured some peppered water into his ears and eyes, dropped burning plastics on his body, tied him with palm fronts, paraded and flogged him in public.

A relative told the Advocacy for Alleged Witches that a mob gathered and flogged him following his banishment as he moved from Aguebele to Odebukwugba. The mob beat him in front of the house of a representative member of the area, Eze Nwachukwu, and Thomas fainted. A relative sent a motorcycle that came and conveyed him to the king’s palace in the community.

Late last year, a local advocate drew the attention of AfAW to the case of Thomas Eze. AfAW has been working to support Eze and his family. AfAW worked with Eze and petitioned the police. Some suspects have been arrested and are currently being prosecuted. But police and court officers have extorted so much money from Mr Eze to the point that he is threatening to take his life. Following the torture and injuries, Thomas has some health problems. He has difficulties seeing and hearing. Thomas says some blood comes out when he defecates, and his private part is swollen. Mr Eze requires urgent medical attention. He needs help in covering his medical and legal expenses. AfAW is supporting him, but the support from AfAW does not suffice because Thomas has no other source of income.

Eze told AfAW that he had been selling some of his property to pay his bills.

AfAW calls on the Ebonyi state governor, Francis Nwifuru, to help Thomas Eze and other victims of witch hunts in the state. Witch hunting takes place in Ebonyi due to the failure of the government to protect the citizens. So the state government should rise to this challenge and assist Thomas Eze in covering his medical and legal expenses. Mr Eze may undergo surgeries to address the health issues. Some long-term medical treatment will be needed. The court system is slow. Prosecuting lawyers and police officers demand transportation, filing, and appearance fees. Eze and his family are financially exhausted and bankrupt. They have suffered so much trauma and abuse. Thomas Eze and his family need justice.

The governor and other people of conscience should step in and assist Thomas Eze and his family, as a matter of urgency.

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches.