Man to die by hanging for killing brother over witchcraft

A 29-year-old man, Akaninyene Thomas Okpon, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his elder brother, Friday Thomas Enyenokpon, who he accused of witchcraft. The Akwa Ibom State High Court, sitting in Uyo, delivered the judgment. It was gathered that Akaninyene, a father of three, along with his late brother, Ime […]

A 29-year-old man, Akaninyene Thomas Okpon, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his elder brother, Friday Thomas Enyenokpon, who he accused of witchcraft.

The Akwa Ibom State High Court, sitting in Uyo, delivered the judgment.

It was gathered that Akaninyene, a father of three, along with his late brother, Ime Thomas Okpon (a co-accused who died in custody before the trial concluded), accused Friday Thomas Enyenokpon of witchcraft and of being responsible for Akaninyene’s misfortunes.

The two siblings reportedly ambushed their brother in a bush known as “Usung Atan” farmland in Ikot Abasi Asutan, where he had gone to check his hunting traps. They then macheted and beheaded him.

They are said to have buried the head separately on April 8, 2018, the day he was killed.

In his judgment, the trial judge, Justice Okon Okon, found that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on the defendant’s confessional statement and corroborating evidence.

The court noted that the defendant, in Suit No. HU/5C/2019, a primary three dropout, had previously threatened to eliminate the deceased and others in the family. 

He later led the police to the crime scene where the remains of the deceased were recovered.

Justice Okon declared, “The sentence of the court upon you, Akaninyene Thomas Okpon, is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead.” 

The court also ordered the forfeiture of his weapons, two machetes marked as Exhibits 1–1A, to the state.