The gruesome murder and dismembering of a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ms Salome Eleojo Adaidu by her supposed boyfriend Timileyin Ajayi in January at his residence in Papalana axis, New Karshi in Nasarawa State, draws attention to a national epidemic, largely handled with levity by the government and our security agencies. Ajayi did not just commit murder; he butchered the body of the young lady in a manner associated with ritual murders for money among misguided persons in the country. Though he has confessed to committing the crime that should carry capital punishment, and the Nigeria Police Force in Nasarawa State have embarked on an investigation to unravel the hidden layers of the crime, the Nigerian authorities must elevate the case beyond mere murder. It must be treated with the seriousness that the notorious and rampant trend of money ritual murders that endanger mostly the female folks deserves.
The international community has taken note of this barbaric phenomenon, as it has become one of the prominent excuses adduced by Nigerians who seek asylum in Europe, America and other developed countries. The West African Network of Peace Building (WANEP), in its 2022 report on ritual-related deaths from January 2021 to January 2022, reported that “Between January 5 and December 28, 2021, the statistics of ritual-related deaths generated from Nigeria Watch and WANEP’s National Early Warning System (NEWS) has shown a total of over 168 deaths in 80 incidents across 20 states in Nigeria. Out of the total recorded deaths (168) in the reviewed period, 29 were females and 30 children. In most cases, the identity of the gender is unknown due to the severe mutilation of the victims. Another aspect found in connection with ritual killings in Nigeria is the evidence of acts not necessarily to bring about the death of victims, as witnessed in cases of mutilation of victims and rape of females and minors by the perpetrators.”
From WANEP’s data, it is apparent that ritual killing has become a distinct form of crime and should be treated as such through the declaration of emergency on it and the enactment of a law that can prevent and adequately punish the crime. The European Union has identified it as one of the reasons for granting asylum to Nigerians. In its official documents, it has identified the ugly trend as “killings [that] occur in order to obtain human body parts for use in rituals. It appears to be an increasing phenomenon. It is reported that in the first five months of 2018, there have been 72 deaths related to ritual killings. Victims of ritual killings can include anyone, although reports often concern the ritual killing of women (specifically virgins) and babies.”
There are several laws related to rituals and murder in the country, but none of them adequately and specifically addresses money ritual murder. Some of the existing laws are found in the Criminal Code that is operational in the southern part of Nigeria. Section 210 prohibits the possession of human parts, and the punishment for doing so is just two years imprisonment. It says a person violates the law if he or she: “(e) Is in possession of or has control over any human remains, which are used or are intended to be used in connection with the worship or invocation of any juju; or (f) makes or uses or assists in making or using, or has in his possession anything whatsoever the making, use, or possession of which has been prohibited by an order as being or believed to be associated with human sacrifice or other unlawful practice… is guilty of misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for two years.” It follows, therefore, that the law does not recognise money ritual murder but only the possession of human parts. The punishment for later is like a slap in the wrist – two years in prison.
Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which provided for the right to life, does not really specify the penalty for money ritual murder. It just provides that “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in the execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty.” It prohibits murder, homicide and manslaughter. The laws cited above do not cohesively punish the prevailing and notorious ritual murders. There are grave implications for this. Unless the police are detailed in their investigations to prove how ritual murders were carried out and unless families of victims of ritual murders earnestly challenge the legal team to unravel the schemes of defence lawyers, anyone caught with human parts could escape justice if the evidence of murder against him is not watertight.
As a way forward, we call on the National Assembly to enact a law that clearly defines money ritual murders and all the nuances around the crime and prescribe a stiff punishment for those who violate it. Alternatively, the Criminal Code should be amended to clearly identify money ritual murders as an offence with its own prescribed penalty written in law.
The prevalence of money ritual murders in Nigeria is too high and totally unacceptable. As we challenge the Nigeria Police to diligently investigate and arrest every person connected with the murder of Salome Eleojo Adaidu, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly must set in motion the process that will ensure that no one who engages in money ritual murder finds an escape route in our weak statute books.