§ Dr. Segalasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to give any information about the motives behind the Leopard murders in Nigeria.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsInvestigations over the past two years have established that 97 murders are attributable to the activiies of the Leopard Society. Their classification by motive was as follows:
Revenge 19 Jealousy 17 Dispute over dowry 16 Dispute over land 9 Non-payment of debt 6 Dispute over succession to children and property 6 Refusal to allow sexual intercourse 4 Dispute over ownership of property 4 Dispute over "Esusu" Society contributions. (A form of mutual benefit Society) 2 Dispute over inheritance of widow 1 Concealment of another murder 1 Non-apparent 12 Total 97 It is, however, possible that the real motive behind all the murders is ritual, and that the personal motive is secondary to this.