Akwa Ibom Man Sentenced to Death by Hanging for Beheading His Brother Over Witchcraft Allegation
A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced an Akwa Ibom Man – Akaninyene Thomas Okpon, a 29-year-old father of three, to death by hanging for the gruesome murder and beheading of his elder brother, whom he accused of being a witch.
The tragic incident occurred on April 8, 2018, in Ikot Abasi Asutan, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, when Akaninyene and his now-deceased sibling, Ime Thomas Okpon, ambushed their brother, Friday Thomas Enyenokpon, in a nearby bush popularly called Usung Atan.
The victim had gone to check his hunting traps when his brothers attacked him with machetes, beheaded him, and buried the head separately a chilling act that left the local community horrified.
Justice Okon Okon, presiding over Suit No. HU/5C/2019, ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on Akaninyene’s confessional statement and corroborative witness testimonies.
The court revealed that the Akwa Ibom Man is a primary school dropout, and had previously issued threats to eliminate the deceased and other family members. He later led the police to the crime scene, where the dismembered remains were discovered.
“The sentence of the Court upon you, Akaninyene 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 marked as Exhibits 1–1A – to the state.
