THE mother arrested in connection with the murder of a child in what could be Britain's first black magic killing has denied any connection to the boy's death.
Joy Osagiede also denied any knowledge of the rituals thought to be behind the murder of the young boy, whose mutilated torso was found in the Thames.
Ms Osagiede, who is at Harmondsworth detention centre near Heathrow, said she had had a "terrible" time and wanted to return to Scotland and her children.
It is the first time the 31-year-old asylum-seeker, who has been living in Pollokshaws, Glasgow, has spoken since her home was raided two weeks ago and she was taken to London for questioning.
Her arrest was described as a "significant development" in the investigation to explain what happened to the boy, whose body was discovered last September.
It is thought his throat was cut, his blood drained away, and his head and limbs cut off as part of a ceremonial sacrifice or a South African "muti" killing used to get body parts for medicine.
In the interview with a Sunday newspaper, Ms Osagiede said: "I'm not the voodoo killer. This has been a terrible experience. I don't know anything about the murder or these rituals.
"I will be back in Scotland in a week. I wish it was sooner. I have friends in Glasgow. There are many Africans there."
The mother, who is married, said she had told police she had not committed murder. Two of her children are currently in care, a third - described as missing by police - died at seven months.
She said: "The police spoke to me for a long time but I don't know anything about it. I don't know why they spoke to me, it has made me very upset."
Asked about claims that clothes found at her flat came from the same German shop as the orange shorts found on the dead boy's torso, she replied: "That is not true. I don't know why someone would say this. Muti? What is that? I don't know anything about muti. The police asked me about my son but he died of natural causes when he was a baby."
Ms Osagiede is described as a large and imposing woman, who was emotional and dishevelled during the interview. She fought back tears as she told the newspaper: "I just want to go back to Scotland and my daughters. I miss them so much."
The West African's two daughters, aged four and five, were taken into care after she came to Glasgow last December. Social workers are said to have been concerned about her behaviour.
Her Glasgow neighbours have also described her unusual conduct and said she had boasted of knowing black magic.
Police have tried to trace her husband but she is said to have claimed not to know where he is living. DNA tests have proved Ms Osagiede is not the natural mother of the murdered child.