Man to hang for killing neighbour over N80,000 debt

An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Eket has sentenced one Okon Ebenge to death by hanging for killing his neighbour over an N80,000 debt. The presiding judge, Justice Nsemeke Daniel, in his judgment held that the accused was responsible for the death of the deceased, adding that the action of the convict in […]

An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Eket has sentenced one Okon Ebenge to death by hanging for killing his neighbour over an N80,000 debt.

The presiding judge, Justice Nsemeke Daniel, in his judgment held that the accused was responsible for the death of the deceased, adding that the action of the convict in chasing away supposed helpers for the deceased while still conscious revealed an intent to kill.

Ebenge, an indigene of Akpautong in Esit Eket Local Government Area, was said to have conspired with his son, Akaninyene, to kill 37-year-old Eteyen Ekong, when he (Ekong) went to ask for the refund of his money. The late Ekong, a native of Ntak Inyang also in Esit Eket, was said to have in 2013, given the convict N80,000 to construct a container shed for his business.

It was gathered that the container was not constructed, neither was the money refunded, prompting the deceased to visit Ebenge’s house to ask for his money on January 10, 2016.

Ebenge was said to have joined hands with his son, Akaninyene and beaten the deceased to death.

A neighbour of the deceased, Abednego Owo, who was the third prosecution witness, told the court that he tried to rescue the victim when he became unconscious, but was prevented by Ebenge and his son.

Owo told the court that the duo threatened to kill anyone who dared to enter into their compound to take the deceased to hospital.