The traditional ruler of Omuo-Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Noah Omonigbehin, on Friday, denied that 70-year-old Mrs. Rebecca Adewumi was tortured to death by the youth of the community for alleged witchcraft.

The woman’s family had petitioned the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sotonye Wakama, through their lawyer, Mr. Dele Omotosho, alleging her killing by a mob in the community for alleged witchcraft.

The family alleged that there was a plan to cover up the alleged crime by influential individuals in the community.

But Head of Olisa Quarters of the community, Chief Dayo Orojo, alleged that one Feranmi had run to the palace of Oba Omonigbehin sometime in May to say that she and other members of the community, including Mrs. Adewumi, were responsible for a strange illness being suffered by one Ola, Adewumi’s stepson.

According to him, Feranmi had claimed that Ola’s affliction followed his preaching of the Gospel within the community.

“We invited Mrs. Rebecca Adewumi and confronted her with the allegation, but she denied it. After much pressure from Imekula (age group), the woman confessed, but before the confession, she said if she confessed, she would die, according to a Yoruba tradition which holds that if one belongs to the occult and one exposes the secret, one would die,” Chief Orojo added.

Chief Orojo, who denied the involvement of the monarch of the community or himself in the alleged murder, however, confirmed that the woman was made to drink a concoction prepared by a pastor.

Orojo also said he was aware that the youths vandalised the woman’s property before she died.

While lamenting what he called the devastating effects of witches on the community, Chief Orojo recalled that many promising young men and women had died allegedly at the hands of witches and wizards.

Responding to a question, Chief Orojo said, “The law does not recognise witches and wizards and the treatment the deceased had was the same in every community.”

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