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The Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced a 29-year-old man, Akaninyene Thomas Okpon, to death by hanging for the murder of his elder brother, Friday Thomas Enyenokpon, whom he accused of witchcraft.
According to a report by LIB, the incident occurred in 2018 in Ikot Abasi Asutan, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of the state.
Akaninyene, a father of three, and his late brother, Ime Thomas Okpon, 37, who was also charged but died in custody before the trial concluded, had accused Friday of being responsible for their life’s misfortunes through witchcraft.
The two brothers reportedly ambushed Friday while he was checking his hunting traps. They beheaded him and buried his head separately—a gruesome act that shocked the entire community.
Delivering judgment in Suit No. HU/5C/2019 on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Justice Okon Okon ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court relied on the defendant’s confessional statement and corroborating evidence.
The judge noted that Akaninyene, a primary three dropout, had previously threatened to kill the deceased and other family members. He later led police to the crime scene, where the remains of the victim 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.
