The Eket local government area Division of the Akwa Ibom State High Court has sentenced a 27-year-old man, Edinyanga Samuel Akpan, to death for the gruesome murder of his uncle, Kufre Godwin Eno, over allegation that the deceased possessed witchcraft powers.
Delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Pius Idiong, found the defendant guilty of a one-count charge of murder.
According to the particulars of the case, the incident occurred on Monday, 4th December, 2017, at Ikot Inyang, Okon Clan, in Eket LGA. During a disagreement, the convict stabbed his uncle in the chest with a knife.
The victim was rushed to Emmanuel General Hospital, Eket, where he was later confirmed dead.
The convict, a native of Ikot Obioro in Eket LGA, 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.
Therefore, 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 the convict’s soul.
The judgment brings to a close, a prolonged legal process that lasted nine years in the court.
LEADERSHIP gathered that 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 was started de-novo, before Hon. Justice Pius Idiong.
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