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Christian Human Rights Group Wants “reparations” for Acquitted Nigerian Professor

Professor Richard Solomon Musa Tarfa, the co-founder of the Du Merci orphanages for vulnerable children in Kano and Kaduna states, Nigeria. Credit: CSW

By Agnes Aineah

Abuja, 30 January, 2023 / 6:07 pm (ACI Africa).

Human rights foundation, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), has expressed relief following the release of a Christian Professor who was accused of forging certificates to start a foundation that takes care of homeless children in Nigeria’s Kaduna State.

In a January 27 report, CSW leadership pushes for reparations for Professor Richard Solomon Musa Tarfa following “years of injustice and harassment”.

Professor Tarfa, the co-founder of the Du Merci orphanages for vulnerable children in Kano and Kaduna Sates in Nigeria, was on January 27 acquitted of the accusation and discharged by an appeal court.

Expressing his joy at the court’s decision, CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas however underlined the need to ensure that Tarfa’s family is compensated for the trauma they underwent at their kin’s arrest and lengthy detention.

“CSW rejoices with Professor Tarfa and his family at his long overdue acquittal. He has been subjected to years of injustice and harassment which predate his December 2019 arrest,” Mr. Mervyn is quoted as saying in the January 27 report.

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He adds, “We call on authorities in Kano state to allow the professor to enjoy his freedom in peace and to expedite the return home of all of the Du Merci children. We also continue to insist that reparations must be made for the undeniable trauma this family has endured over the past three years, particularly in light of the professor’s full acquittal today.”

The professor had been serving a two-year prison sentence after being convicted by a Kano state High Court of forging a certificate of registration from the Kano state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development on 3 March 2022.

CSW reports that the appeal was filed based on several errors committed by the presiding judge, Justice Narisu Saminu, when passing the sentence, including his disregard of credible evidence proving the professor’s innocence.

Professor Tarfa was initially arrested in December 2019 and was subsequently held in pre-trial detention until 10 December 2020, when he was released on bail. 

In June 2021, he was acquitted of abducting 19 children from their legal guardians and confining them in an unregistered orphanage. However, the forgery charge on which he was eventually convicted was submitted during this trial by the lawyer for the prosecution a day before resting his case. 

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According to the January 27 CSW report, the Nigerian professor was found guilty despite having provided a witness from his bank and a bank statement showing a payment to a director in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs for the certificate. 

Agnes Aineah

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.

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