A 29-year-old man, Akaninyene Thomas Okpon, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo, for killing his elder brother, Friday Thomas Enyenokpon, after accusing him of using witchcraft to ruin his life.
The crime happened in 2018 in Ikot Abasi Asutan, a community in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area. Akaninyene, a father of three, carried out the act with another brother, 37-year-old Ime Thomas Okpon, who was also charged but died while awaiting the conclusion of the case.
The two brothers planned and waited in the bush to ambush Friday, who had gone to check his hunting traps. They beheaded him in the forest and buried his head separately from his body, an act that left the entire community in shock.
During the court hearing, the presiding judge, Justice Okon Okon, said the prosecution presented strong evidence and the defendant’s own confession, which proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Okon noted that Akaninyene had earlier threatened to kill the deceased and other family members. He also confirmed that the convict later guided the police to the scene where the remains of his brother were buried.
The judge stated, “The sentence of the Court upon you, Akaninyere Thomas Okpon, is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead.”
The court also ruled that the weapons used in the killing, which were two machetes labeled Exhibits 1 and 1A, be handed over to the state government.
According to the court record, the convict had only a primary three education and acted on the belief that his brother was behind his personal struggles.
