In Burkina Faso, a well-known traditional healer named Adja, whose real name is Amsetou Nikiema, has been given a three-year suspended sentence in a high-profile trial.
The court found her guilty of being involved in the assault of one of her followers.
Adja is famous for drawing large crowds to her gatherings, where she is believed to heal people who are sick or thought to be cursed or possessed.
After a day in court, Adja, who is 20 years old, was convicted of being complicit in causing harm to someone.
She received a three-year suspended sentence and a fine of one million CFA francs (around $1,600), which was also suspended.
Originally, the prosecutors had asked for a two-year prison term, with one year suspended, and a fine of three million francs.
In July, a video circulated on social media showing a man being tortured by individuals claiming to be associated with Adja
She was arrested but managed to escape with the help of soldiers.
Keep, reading;
Man Connected To Garissa University Attack Suspect Granted Ksh. 300K Bail
Soldiers surrounded the court where Adja and the other defendants were held, demanding her release, according to prosecutor Laurent Poda.
Later, Adja turned herself into a military prison in Ouagadougou, preferring it over a civilian jail for safety reasons.
In court, Adja apologized for the harm caused to the victim, stating that she had no knowledge of it.
She said, “All I can do is ask for forgiveness from the prosecutor and everyone else.
My mission is to care for people, not to harm them.”
Eight of Adja’s associates were sentenced to four years in prison and a fine of 500,000 francs for illegal detention, bodily harm, and complicity in a crime.
Their sentences were also suspended.
They claimed they acted on their own and did not receive orders from Adja.
The victim, Hamidou Kanazoe, chose not to become a civil plaintiff in the case, indicating that a settlement had been reached outside of court.
Adja gained national attention three years ago when news of her miraculous healings spread.
She mentioned that she had experienced visions during her childhood in rural Burkina and had suffered mistreatment as a result.
She claimed to provide healing through traditional medicine and spiritual guidance.
At her gatherings, Adja did not charge for her services, but she discreetly encouraged donations and other offerings.
Officially, only nine percent of Burkina Faso’s population identify as animists, but this number is thought to be an underestimate.
Traditional beliefs are deeply rooted and often coexist alongside the country’s Muslim and Christian communities, with authorities being tolerant of claimed healers.
