A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced a 29-year-old man, Akaninyene Thomas Okpon, to death by hanging for the gruesome murder of his elder brother, Friday Thomas Enyenokpon.
The court found that in 2018, Akaninyene, a father of three and a primary school dropout, conspired with his late brother, Ime Thomas Okpon, to kill Friday in Ikot Abasi Asutan, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
The brothers reportedly accused Friday of being a witch responsible for Akaninyene’s misfortunes.
The siblings ambushed Friday while he was checking his hunting traps, beheaded him, and buried his head separately — an act that left the local community in shock. Ime Thomas, who was also charged in the case, died in custody before the conclusion of the trial.
Delivering judgment in suit number HU/5C/2019 on Thursday, Justice Okon Okon ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. The verdict was based on Akaninyene’s confessional statement and other corroborating evidence, including threats he had previously made against family members.
The judge also noted that the convict led police to the scene of the crime, where the remains of the deceased were found.
Justice Okon pronounced: “The sentence of the Court upon you, Akaninyene Thomas Okpon, is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead.”
The court further ordered the forfeiture of two machetes used in the killing, marked as Exhibits 1–1A, to the state.