Akpabio Inaugurates Commission on Witchcraft Accusations

Governor Godswill Akpabio has inaugurated a commission of Inquiry into witchcraft accusations and Child Rights abuses in the state.
The six-man Commission has Justice Godwin Abraham as the Chairman and Uduak Victor Ekwere Esq as the Secretary. Members include Barr. Theresa Obot, Dr. Esssien Edward Essien, Dr. Okon Akaiso and Bishop Koko Bassey.
Inaugurating the Commission recently, the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, said the commission was set up to address the sore point of witchcraft accusations and child rights abuses in the state, with a view to removing the blemish from the history of the state.
Governor Akpabio emphasized that the commission is composed of God-fearing men and women of repute and integrity whose commitment to the cause of fighting the ills in the society has been proven over time by their antecedents.

He lamented that due to the witchcraft accusations and child abuse, some Akwa Ibom children have been short-changed and shielded from benefiting from the lofty promise and limitless opportunities that Akwa Ibom holds for all who live within its boundaries.
Of much regret is the fact that “this witchcraft scare is raging at the finest hour to be a child in the state, Governor Akpabio bemoaned, emphasizing that, “it is the time when education is completely free, compulsory and qualitative for all Akwa Ibom Children from primary to secondary school”.
He expressed sadness over the situation where children wallow in the abyss of stigmatization, with a raw deal of accusation of witchcraft, reiterating that the inauguration of the commission became expedient, to allow members inquire into allegations of the prevalence of maltreatment, stigmatization and deaths of children branded as wizards and witches in Akwa Ibom State.
Governor Akpabio then listed the core terms of reference to include: to determine the veracity of the allegations of witchcraft against children and infliction of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment upon such children; determine the number of children so abused and or killed on account of such allegations of witchcraft and the locations and persons involved in such abuses or practices as well as examine the role and culpability of any person, authorities or organizations in the allegations and abuses.
Others include: to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the allegation that several children in Akwa Ibom State were stigmatized, maltreated, killed and / or buried in shallow graves on account of being branded as witches and wizards; identify the shallow graves and the particulars of children affected as well as those who perpetrate this crime and recommend appropriate remedial measures or actions to be taken by any person, institution or \authority to protect children from being branded witches and wizards, to ward off future occurrence.
Responding on behalf of the members, the Chairman of the Commission of inquiry into Witchcraft Accusation and child rights abuses in the State, Justice Godwin Abraham, said, he understood the seriousness of the assignment given to them and assured that members of the commission will use every skill available to them to ensure the success of the assignment.
Justice Abraham called for cooperation and assistance from members of the public in order to provide the commission with needed information, noting that, with God on their side, the commission will deliver the work as expected.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Akpabio for the confidence reposed on members of the commission and pledged the commitment and dedication of members in discharging the assignment on record time.