Harrison Essien
A 27-year-old man from Akwa Ibom was Wednesday sentenced to death for the murder of his uncle, Kufre Godwin Eno, over an allegation of witchcraft.
Edinyanga Samuel Akpan was said to have stabbed his uncle in the chest with a knife during a disagreement at Ikot Inyang, Okon in Eket Local Government Area on Monday, 4 December, 2017.
The victim was rushed to Emmanuel General Hospital, Eket, where he was later confirmed dead.
Edinyanga, a native of Ikot Obioro in Eket and a primary school dropout, had initially pleaded not guilty during the trial.
Also read:
- Septuagenarian, three others caught for attempted murder, alleged cultism in Akwa Ibom
- Court Verdict: 12 Freed in Rivers State Policewoman Murder
- Akwa Ibom Village Head in Police net over attempted murder
He pleaded for leniency, and expressed regret for his actions.
The case was prosecuted by the State through the Ministry of Justice, with U. F. Effiong, Esq., Assistant Chief State Counsel for the Prosecution, while Victor Udeh, Esq. was the lead counsel for the defendant.
Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice Pius Idiong of Akwa Ibom State High Court in Eket found the defendant guilty of a one-count charge of murder.
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 theconvict’s soul.
The judgment brings to a close, a prolonged legal process that lasted nine years in the Court.
The matter was initially handled by Hon. Justice Nsemeke Daniel before being transferred, thereafter before Hon. Justice Ezekiel Enang and started de-novo before Hon. Justice Pius Idiong.
