Metro

Kenyan police exhumes 21 bodies from Christian sect’s secret graves

Published

2 years ago

April 23, 2023

The Kenyan police has exhumed 21 bodies from secret graves while investigating the leader of a Christian sect, Good News International Church, Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, who allegedly told his followers they would go to heaven and meet with Jesus if they starved themselves to death.

According to the police, the bodies were exhumed in mass graves in the Shakahola Forest of Kilifi county of the eastern African country on Saturday, with the belief that more bodies will be exhumed.

The leader of the police team, Detective Charles Kamau told journalists that 15 followers of Mackenzie who had been undergoing the marathon fasting were rescued and taken to hospital while four died before they reached hospital.

“In total since yesterday, we have 21 bodies. We have not even scratched the surface which gives a clear indication that we are likely to get more bodies by the end of this exercise,” Kamau said.

The raid was carried out following the death of 11 members of the sect on April 14 after they were allegedly told by Mackenzie that the only way they would meet with Jesus was for them to embark on the fast.

“Police raided the forest after receiving information of the deaths on ignorant citizens starving to death under the pretext of meeting Jesus after being brainwashed by Nthenge.

“This pastor will have to face all these charges even though he has gone on a hunger strike saying that he is praying and fasting in custody,” he said.

Mackenzie was arrested on April 15 after the discovery of the bodies and the case is due to be heard in court on May 2.

In March, Mackenzie, a controversial cult figure, was arrested for encouraging the parents of two boys to starve and suffocate their children to death.

During a court appearance in the case, Mackenzie said he was unaware of the events that led to the deaths of the two boys, claiming he was the target of hostile propaganda from some of his former colleagues who were jealous and envious of his success and growth.

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Metro

Following backlash, Nigerian govt withdraws treason charges against minors

Published

1 hour ago

November 5, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian government has officially withdrawn the treason charges it entered against some minors who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest that spread across the country from August 1 to the 10th.

The nation was thrown into shock on Friday when the Nigeria Police presented 76 protesters at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on treason. Among the suspects were four minors who slumped before they could be arraigned before the court.

This caused serious uproar in the country with Nigerians condemning the government and calling for the unconditional release of the kids and the dismissal of the charges against them.

The decision to withdraw the charges against the underage accused came following a directive by President Bola Tinubu who ordered the immediate withdrawal of the charges and an in-depth investigation into what led to the arrest and detention of the minors.

Tinubu had also ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN) to officially take over the case file as well as review the cases following public outcry that came with the arraignment of the minors.

The charges were finally withdrawn on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja through an application for discontinuance filled by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, on behalf of the AGF.

According to Abubakar, the discontinuance application was based on provisions of sections 174(1), (b) and (c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.

The DPPF also applied for further proceedings to be conducted without the presence of the minors in the courtroom, in line with provisions of Section 266(b) of the ACJA, 2015, and Section 1 of the Childs’ Rights Act.

In response, human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Fanala (SAN), who stood in for the accused as well as other defence lawyers in the matter, did not oppose the applications which promoted the judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, to strike out the charges, while the four affected minors were also delisted from the charge sheet.

Metro

Zambia: President Hichilema urges traditional leaders to invoke rainmaking powers amid drought

Published

18 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has called on traditional leaders to call upon their rainmaking powers by praying for rain as the nation continues to face the menace of drought.

Hichilema, who made the plea while speaking during the Shikaumpa traditional ceremony of the Ila people in Namwala on Sunday, expressed hope for divine intervention and sufficient rains.

“We pray that this year, God will give us rains, sufficient rains, so we can grow more food, so we can take care of the things, the assets that we keep,” the President stated.

He noted that he was informed of certain chiefs known for their rainmaking abilities, including Senior Chief Mwamba of Northern Province, Chief Sailunga of North-Western Province and Mwami Monze from the Southern Province and urged them to use their powers to invoke rain, adding that the chiefs should continue their prayers for rain, believing that “God will hear our cry.”

The President also encouraged not only the chiefs but also the churches and the entire nation to join in prayers for rain.

“All of us, the churches, everybody, we must pray for rains so that we can take care of God’s people properly,” he said.

The head of state further urged farmers to intensify efforts at planting crops and maximizing their harvest for national food security once the rain comes.

The drought in Zambia in recent
seasons have left 84 districts severely impacted, leading to food shortages and a worsening electricity deficit due to low water levels.