Detained on Christmas Day 

On Christmas Day 2019, Professor Richard Solomon Tarfa was arrested on false charges of criminal abduction of the children in the Du Merci orphanages (which he founded with his wife, Mercy) in Kano and Kaduna States, Nigeria. 27 children were seized from the orphanages and forcibly relocated to a government-run home, where reports soon emerged of their maltreatment.  

After almost a year in detention, Professor Tarfa was released on bail on 10 December 2020 and he was acquitted of two out of three charges against him on 24 June 2021. However, on 3 March 2022, Professor Tarfa was sentenced to two years in prison on a false charge of forgery. Meanwhile 16 Du Merci children remain in the custody of state authorities. 

Here is a breakdown of events since Professor Tarfa’s arrest and what CSW has done to advocate for, and stand in solidarity with, his family.      

'I, on behalf of Du Merci, want to appreciate the family of Christian Solidarity Worldwide for standing beside us…That’s why we are calling on you to continue the good work you are doing. To continue to pray for us. To continue also to campaign against the illegal detention of our children.'

Professor Tarfa  

Case timeline 

July - August 2022: CSW received reports that Professor Tarfa has suffered serious health challenges while in prison – including partial loss of sight.

January 2020 – August 2022: CSW UK issued 18 press releases on this case, which were covered 28 times by a total of 15 different media outlets. 

March 2022: CSW UK mobilised 787 people to email the Nigerian High Commissioner, urging the Nigerian government to review Professor Tarfa’s flawed conviction and sentence, and to expedite the return of the Du Merci children.

3 March 2022: Professor Tarfa was sentenced to two years in prison on a false charge of forging a certificate of registration from the Kano state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

January 2022: CSW worked with an MP who tabled two written parliamentary questions to the UK government on the Du Merci children.

24 June 2021: Professor Tarfa was acquitted on charges of ‘running an illegal orphanage’ and ‘criminal conspiracy and abduction of minors’.

March 2021: Two more children, aged 6 and 9, were forcibly relocated from the government-run home to to a remote rural orphanage. Reports later emerged that the five Du Merci children living in this facility have had their names changed and cannot remember their real ones. They also can no longer speak English (previously their first language), and are obliged to learn Arabic, study the Quran and attend prayers at a mosque.

February - November 2021: Professor Tarfa's trial was adjourned repeatedly.

24 June 2021: Professor Tarfa was acquitted on charges of ‘running an illegal orphanage’ and ‘criminal conspiracy and abduction of minors’.

20 January 2021: CSW UK organised an online prayer event for Professor and Mrs Tarfa, which was attended by at least 90 people, including the Tarfas.  

18 January 2021: Three of the Du Merci children, all aged four at the time, were forcibly relocated from the government-run home to an unknown rural location.

January 2021: 1,531 supporters emailed Lord Ahmad and Fiona Bruce MP, asking them to put pressure on the Nigerian government to ensure the safe return of the Du Merci children.  

10 December 2020: Professor Tarfa was released on bail after meeting the new bail requirements set in November 2020.   

October 2020: CSW Nigeria created an online petition for Professor Tarfa’s release, which has received 3,088 signatures worldwide.  

June 2020: James Duddridge MP responded to a written parliamentary question, confirming that the British High Commission in Abuja has raised Professor Tarfa's case with the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria and the Kano State authorities. And the UK Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief had raised the case with the Nigerian Federal Government at a senior level. 

3 January 2020: Professor Tarfa’s bail terms were set at N5 million (approximately $13,800).  

January 2020: CSW UK launched a campaign that mobilised 2,429 people to email the Nigerian High Commissioner, urging the Nigerian government to ensure Professor Tarfa’s release.  

31 December 2019: Armed officers raided, without warrant, the Du Merci branch in Kaduna State. 8 children were transported to the Nassarawa Children’s Home in Kano State. 

25 December 2019: 25 armed officers raided, without warrant, the Du Merci orphanage in Kano State. 19 children were forcibly moved to a government-run Nassarawa Children’s Home in Kano.  

Professor Tarfa was detained on accusations of illegally operating the orphanage, which were proven to be false. 

What now? 

We will continue to pray, campaign and advocate on behalf of the Tarfas and the Du Merci children until all charges are dropped and this family is reunited.  

You can campaign for the Tarfas by emailing the Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, who can bring pressure to bear on the Nigerian government.  

You can pray for the Tarfas and their children: 

• For Professor Tarfa’s health while in prison. Pray for his eyesight to be fully restored and for his physical and psychological wellbeing.
• For Mercy Tarfa, as she continues to support her husband through the hardest of trials, and struggles for permission to visit her children.
  
• For a swift and successful review of Professor Tarfa’s sentence, and the return of all the Du Merci children. 

‘Thanks for the wonderful work you and all the team in CSW have done and are still doing. You have no idea of the inestimable impact that you have made both spiritually, physically and materially.’

Du Merci board member