The Chairman of the Chief and elder council in Nimba County is appealing to the government of Liberia through the National Legislature to enact a law that will make witchcraft a crime and punishable under the Liberian law.
Chief Peter Barlon told Liberia Public Radio National correspondent in Sanniquellie that the act, when drafted by the government, will reduce some “unaccepted and unwanted” acts in the society, especially in rural parts of the country.
Chief Barlon claimed that there are some people who can willingly confess to killing another person with witch or secret society without any investigation and are walking with impunity.
The Nimba County Chief zoe added that those who confess to killing others with witch or secret society should be charged with the crime of murder and treated like ordinary murder convict who sometimes spend several years in prison.
He stressed that individuals involved in witchcraft activities are spoiling the future of many young people while describing such act as inhumane.
Chief Barlon attributed witchcraft activity to the cause of many people refusing to return home to make meaningful contributions to the growth and development of their community and the society at large.
He maintained that without any form of mental or physical humiliation, people have walked by themselves in his office and openly confessed of bewitching others, something he claimed serious attention and needs the intervention of the government.
Government, he said has to take a ‘new direction’ and understand that Liberia is an African country and prosecute those admitting to bewitching people.
“I know the government doesn’t believe in witch activities, but why do they sometimes call on pastors to clean their offices when they take new office or sometimes can clean almost all the materials in the office,” chief Barlon asserted.
Chief Barlon lamented that the situation is very dangerous nowadays and is hampering their operation as traditional leaders in the county, adding that the issue of Human Rights can sometimes put a stop to their decision.
Chairman Barlon asserted some members legislators are people from traditional backgrounds and appealed to them to introduce “Witchcraft bill” to ensure it is passed into law.
In an interview with LPR the Nimba traditional council leader said when the “witchcraft bill “is passed into will help reduce more ‘ugly’ acts in the country.
The government of Liberia is yet to under trial by ordeal a crime because there is no scientific prove.
