Akwa Ibom Court Sentences Man to Death for Child Murder

An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has sentenced Anwanga Effiong Udofia, 38, to death for the murder of a nine-year-old pupil of Lutheran Primary School, Itoko, in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.

The ruling, delivered on Friday, closes a painful chapter that has lingered in the community since 2016.

Court records revealed that the victim, Aniekan Idongesit Edet, a Primary Five pupil, was on his way to school on December 6, 2016, when the incident occurred in Nung Oku Akpasima hamlet, Ibesikpo Asutan.

The prosecution told the court that the defendant, a resident of Itoko Village, pursued the child and unlawfully caused his death.

A fellow pupil, who was in Primary Four at the time, testified before the court, recounting events from that morning.

“On the morning of 6th December 2016, we were going to school when I saw Anwanga. I used to see him smoking Indian hemp and carrying two machetes. He started chasing Aniekan, who ran into the bush opposite the school. None of the teachers had arrived at the school then,” the witness told the court.

The child was later found deceased, a discovery that sent shockwaves through the local community.

The defendant was charged under Section 326(1) of the Criminal Code, Volume 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, which deals with murder.

To establish its case, the prosecution:

• Presented five exhibits

• Called four witnesses

• Provided corroborating testimony and evidence

The defendant also testified in his own defence during the trial.

After reviewing all submissions, the court ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the Akwa Ibom murder conviction.

Delivering judgment, Honourable Justice Archibong Archibong found the defendant guilty as charged.

“Therefore, I find the defendant guilty as charged and accordingly convict him. The sentence of this court is that you be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on your soul,” the judge ruled.

The judgment formally concludes a case that has weighed heavily on the Itoko community for almost ten years.