Akwa Ibom Court Sentences Man To Death For Beheading Brother Over Witchcraft Allegation

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced 29-year-old Akaninyene Thomas Okpon to death by hanging for the brutal murder of his elder brother, whom he accused of witchcraft and causing his misfortunes.

In a chilling 2018 case that shook the Ikot Abasi Asutan community, Okpon, alongside his late sibling, Ime Thomas Okpon, who died in custody lured and beheaded 37-year-old Friday Thomas Enyenokpon, burying his severed head separately.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Okon Okon ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, citing the defendant’s confessional statement, prior threats to family members, and his role in leading police to the body.

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

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the murder weapons, two machetes, to the state.