By Straightnews
An Akwa Ibom High Court in Uyo, on Tuesday, sentenced one Akpaniko-Abasi Okon James to death for the murder of his friend, Ephraim Edet Okon.
Akpaniko, the son of the late Rev. Okon J. Essien of 32, Gibbs Street, Uyo, who was repatriated from the United States few years ago, was accused to have snuffed out life from one master Ephraim, 22, on 12 May, 2021 while the deceased went to recover N30,000 owed him by the American returnee.
Ephraim, according to eye witness, on approaching Mr. Akpaniko in his house, was asked to wait for Akpaniko to arrange cash for him.
Also read: Akwa Ibom Man To Die By Hanging For Robbery- Court
While the victim was still waiting, Mr. Akpaniko allegedly entered one unregistered Lexus left behind by his deceased parents and drove it with speed against the victim and overran him.
Mr. Akpaniko was said to have sped off to the nearest police patrol team and complained that he was attacked by kidnappers.
After violently colliding with Ephraim, the victim was thrown onto the car’s windscreen. Akpaniko-Abasi then accelerated, causing Ephraim to be thrown off the car to the tarred road.
He (Akpaniko-Abasi) subsequently reversed the vehicle, and crushed Ephraim’s legs, causing the victim to sustain multiple injuries and resulting in his untimely death.
The state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Itim Itim, Esq reminded the court about the convincing evidence marshaled against the suspect, and stressed the need to sentence him to death to serve as a deterrent to others.
Earlier, Ekpenyong Ntekim, the defendant’s lawyer, had pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy.
‘‘Having lost a young man, it would have been improper to lose another young man to death,’’ Ntekim pleaded.
This was as the suspect had pleaded with the court to set him free that he would repent of the ‘sin’ and be useful to the society.
In his judgement, the presiding Judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang reminded Akpaniko-Abasi, a native of Nung Uyo Idoro in Uyo Local Government Area, that he had committed a similar crime but was freed by a court.
Nkanang said he would be hanged on his neck until he is pronounced dead, adding ‘‘May God have mercy on you.’’
In an interview with Straightnews online, Ephraim’s father, Hon. (Elder) Edet George, expressed his satisfaction with the verdict, describing it as “well deserved.”
George, who hails from Ndisiak Village in Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, stated: “I am pleased that the court recognized all the elements of the law. I am very grateful to the Nigerian judiciary system. May God bless them.”
He noted that even if the case is taken to Appeal Court, he would follow up to ensure that his deceased son gets justice.
