Man sentenced to death for killing uncle over witchcraft

Etim Ekpimah

An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Eket has sentenced a 27-year-old man, Edinyanga Samuel Akpan, to death for the murder of his uncle, Kufre Godwin Eno, over allegations of witchcraft.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Pius Idiong found the defendant guilty of a one-count charge of murder.

The incident occurred on 4 December 2017 at Ikot Inyang, Okon, in Eket Local Government Area. During a disagreement, Akpan was said to have stabbed his uncle in the chest with a knife.

The victim was rushed to Emmanuel General Hospital, Eket, where he was later confirmed dead.

Akpan, a native of Ikot Obioro in Eket and a primary school dropout, had initially pleaded not guilty during the trial. However, on the day of judgment, he appealed for leniency, expressing remorse for his actions.

After reviewing the evidence, the court held that the act was intentional and unlawful.

Justice Idiong stated that his hands were tied, noting that murder is a capital offence and that he had no discretion under the law to impose a lesser sentence.

In pronouncing the sentence of death by hanging, the judge prayed for God to have mercy on the convict’s soul.

The judgment brings to a close a prolonged legal process that lasted nine years.

The case was prosecuted by the state through the Ministry of Justice, with U. F. Effiong, Assistant Chief State Counsel, appearing for the prosecution, while Victor Udeh represented the defendant.

The matter was initially handled by Justice Nsemeke Daniel before being transferred to Justice Ezekiel Enang. It was later reassigned and heard afresh by Justice Pius Idiong.