The Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, has expressed concern over the increasing number of cases involving witchcraft, describing it as a persistent challenge in the legal system.
She made this remark while reviewing the cases of awaiting trial inmates at the Jama’are Maximum Correctional Centre during a two-day quarterly visit by the Administration of Justice Committee, which she chairs.
Justice Rabi acknowledged the difficulty in proving witchcraft-related cases, stating:
“If you are not a witch, you cannot identify one. It is an issue that is difficult to prove unless the accused confesses.”
Judges Cautioned Against Excessive Compensation Fines
During the visit, the Chief Judge also warned magistrates and judges against imposing unrealistic compensation fees on convicts, particularly in cases where fines are an alternative.
She noted that exorbitant compensation amounts prolong convicts’ stay in correctional facilities and could force them into criminal activities upon release.
“Moving forward, any judge who imposes unreasonable compensation on a convict will be required to pay or settle it themselves,” she warned.
Justice Rabi criticized instances where convicts are ordered to pay compensation as high as N100,000, N200,000, or N300,000, stressing that such penalties often defeat the purpose of justice and rehabilitation.
“Where do you expect a convict to get such large sums? If they cannot pay, they may resort to crime again just to meet the court’s demands,” she explained.
She urged judicial officers to maintain a balance between justice and mercy, emphasizing that victims of crime may not always recover their losses in full.
“When sentencing a convict, consider the punishment they have already served. If they have been imprisoned for two or three years, requiring them to repay the full value of stolen items could be unfair,” she added.
