Pastor Sentenced to Death for Killing 16-Year-Old Daughter Branded a Witch

A High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a 51-year-old pastor, Ubong Bassey Etim, to death by hanging for the murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey.

Justice Blessing Egwu of High Court No. 11 delivered the judgment in suit No. HC/54c/2025, finding the defendant guilty of murder.

According to reports, Deborah, who was living with Down syndrome, was falsely accused of being a witch before she was killed on February 15, 2025.

Reacting to the judgment, the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) described the verdict as justice for the slain teenager and a significant step in the fight against harmful traditional practices.

The Principal Counsel of BRCI, James Ibor, said the ruling sends a strong message that perpetrators of such crimes will face the full weight of the law.

> “Today’s judgment sends a strong message that such acts are criminal and that perpetrators will be held fully accountable under the law,” Ibor said.

He added that the case underscores every child’s right to life, dignity, and protection, stressing that Deborah’s death highlights the dangers of witchcraft accusations, particularly against children living with disabilities.

Ibor also commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Cross River State Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the judiciary for their roles in ensuring justice was served.