Akwa Ibom Man Sentenced to Death for Brother’s Murder

A 29-year-old man, Akaninyene Okpon, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, after he was found guilty of murdering his elder brother, Friday Thomas Enyenokpon. The killing, which took place in 2018 in Ikot Abasi Asutan, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, shocked the community with its brutality.

Okpon, a father of three and a primary school dropout, accused his brother of being responsible for his misfortunes through witchcraft. Along with his other sibling, Ime Thomas Okpon, who died in custody before the trial concluded, Akaninyene ambushed their elder brother as he checked his hunting traps. They beheaded him and buried his head separately.

In his ruling on Thursday in Suit No. HU/5C/2019, Justice Okon Okon held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, citing the defendant’s confessional statement and corroborating evidence. The judge noted that the convict had previously threatened the deceased and other family members and had even led the police to the crime scene.

“The sentence of the court upon you, Akaninyene Thomas Okpon, is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead,” Justice Okon pronounced. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the two machetes used in the killing, which had been tendered as exhibits, to the state.