YThe Advocacy for Alleged Witches group have denied being the cause of divorces and separations in the country.

In an open letter sent to Peoples Gazette and addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the group’s CEO, Leo Igwe stated that customary courts across the country have taken a tradition of basing every marriage dissolution on witchcraft.

Mr. Igwe says in the statement that the group moves to end abuses linked to witchcraft allegations and persecution of witches.

“From our little research, we understand that the Nigerian law does not recognize witchcraft/juju and a person cannot use such claims to justify the commission of a crime or any illegality. So it was quite a shock that our courts in recent times seem to be indirectly endorsing and acknowledging such flawed beliefs,” the statement read.

In a recent judgement reported by The Nation newspaper, the group noted that the court judgment was silent on “Witchcraft evidence” despite blaming it as the foundation for the dissolved marriage.

The group clarifies that claims against witchcraft are baseless while accusing the courts and media of reinforcing the notion that witchcraft is real, and its evidence admissible in court.

Mr. Igwe urges the Chief Justice to properly inform the public and courts on the position of the law regarding allegations of witchcraft.