You be hanged by neck until you are dead- Judge tells convict

A 31-year-old man in Akwa Ibom State has been sentenced to death for killing his 22-year-old girlfriend over an accusation of infidelity.

Ubon Udo Edet, a native of Use Ndon in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, was condemned Thursday by Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo presided by Justice Ntong Ntong.

The court having found Edet guilty of the murder of one Emem Effiok James from Ikot Anyan Itam in Itu Local Government Area sentenced him to death.

Edet, an aluminium fabricator has been living with his girlfriend, a patent medicine dealer at 2, Joshua Uwa Street, Ekit Itam in Itu for about two years until their love turned sour on December 6, 2018, when Ubon said he suspected his fiancée of having an affair with his neighbour, one Nsisong.

While the girlfriend was sleeping at about 3 a.m. in their one-room apartment at Joshua Uwa Street, Ubon said he plugged his aluminium drilling machine into electricity and operated it on his girlfriend, cutting off her neck.

After the act, he escaped through the ceiling, leaving the girlfriend in the pool of her own blood only to report to the Police that robbers attacked his fiancée.

In a judgment read for three hours, the trial Judge Justice Ntong sentenced the accused to death by hanging.

“How I wished all the police officers in Akwa Ibom in particular and Nigeria in general, will always emulate these officers: Inspector Emmanuel Udobong and Inspector Peter Robert to always conduct a discreet and thorough investigation of any matter assigned to them.

“Our society needs this kind of gentlemen par excellence. Police investigation assists the court to do substantial justice and, in this case, I am satisfied with the report of the investigation made by the police in this case,” Justice Ntong held.

“Death is a mandatory sentence for capital offences. I do not have any discretion in this matter. In accordance with my oath of judicial office, Ubon Udo Edet, the sentence of this Honourable Court is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead,” the court held.