Release My Daughters
Voodoo killing suspect battles social workers
Sunday Mirror (England), Dec. 1, 2002
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/
Brendan Mcginty
A deported asylum seeker who was suspected of a voodoo killing has begged Britain: “Give me back my children.”
Joy Osagiede, 31, was sent back to Nigeria after being quizzed over the murder of dismembered boy, whose body was dumped in the Thames.
But her daughters, aged six and seven, have been kept in care in Scotland where their mother was arrested.
Osagiede, who previously claimed her son was the victim of a ritualistic murder, was said to be “visibly distressed and upset” as she flew to Lagos 10 days ago.
One source close to the Nigerian embassy said: “It was as if she didn’t know what was happening. She kept sobbing for her children. Legally it’s to be a grey area but she’s devastated.”
Now the Nigerian government are to apply political pressure to get the girls back from social workers in Glasgow.
Osagiede’s daughters were taken from her after she was arrested in connection with the murder of the boy, thought to be aged around five and named Adam by police.
Detectives believe he was the victim of a black magic murder linked to African muti rituals.
Osagiede, who had been living in Glasgow, was held at Harmondsworth detention centre near Heathrow Airport after her arrest while her asylum application was processed and the murder was investigated.
Despite the fact that she has committed no crime and was released from police bail, her children have been judged to be “at risk”.
Peter Ogbonnaya of the Nigerian High Commission said: “We are aware of the situation with her children and the government have been informed. They will be doing everything in their power to make sure the girls are returned to their mother.”
Lawyer Dilip Deb said: “If she wants her children back she must raise the matter in a Nigerian court. As I understand she needs a court order to overturn the decision to place her children in care.”
Police in London say their inquiry into Adam’s murder has moved on and they are now concentrating on trying to establish the boy’s identity.
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council refused to comment on Osagiede’s case.