Court sentences man to d3ath for k!lling his uncle over witchcraft allegations in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Eket has sentenced a 27-year-old man, Edinyanga Samuel Akpan, to d3ath for the m8rder of his uncle, Kufre Godwin Eno, over an allegation of witchcraft.

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Delivering judgment on Wednesday, April 12, 2026, Hon. Justice Pius Idiong found the defendant guilty of a one-count charge of m8rder.

The incident occurred on Monday, 4th December, 2017, at Ikot Inyang, Okon, in Eket Local Government Area.

During a disagreement, the convict is said to have st@bbed his uncle in the chest with a knife.

The victim was rushed to Emmanuel General Hospital, Eket, where he was later confirmed d3ad.

Edinyanga, 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 pleaded for leniency, expressing regret 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 m8rder is a capital offence and that he had no discretion under the law to impose a lesser sentence.

In pronouncing the sentence of d3ath 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 in the Court.

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.

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.