Man To Die By Hanging For Killing 9-yr-old Pupil In Akwa Ibom

The protracted case of the gruesome murder of Master Aniekan Idongesit Edet, a nine-year-old pupil of Lutheran Primary School (LPS), Itoko, Ibesikpo Asutan local government area of Akwa Ibom State, was at the weekend concluded by Justice Archibong Archibong of the State High Court, sitting in Uyo, the State capital.

The long-running legal tussle since 2016, however, culminated in Justice Archibong, passing the judgement against the accused, 38-year-old Anwanga Effiong Udofia, sentencing him to death by hanging for the murder of the teenage boy.

The particulars of the case showed that the tragic incident occurred on December 6, 2016, at Nung Oku Akpasima village, Ibesikpo Asutan, when the deceased, a Primary 5 pupil, was on his way to school.

The record further stated that Udofia, also a native of Itoko village, had pursued the young pupil with two matchetes, one in his hand and another tucked in his trousers, overpowered him and inflicted fatal injuries on the victim.

A friend of the deceased in Primary 4, who witnessed the killing of the victim by the assailant before fleeing the scene, recounted the events leading to the attack.

“On the morning of 6th December 2016, we were going to school when I saw Anwanga, carrying two matchetes. I used to see him smoking Indian hemp. On that day, he as carrying two matchetes, one tucked into his trousers and the other in his hand. He started chasing Aniekan, who ran into the bush opposite the school. I didn’t know exactly what happened after that.”

The remains of the boy, LEADERSHIP athered, was discovered the following day by children searching for firewood in the pool of his blood and still in his school uniform.

According to the narrative, one of his hands had been severed, and his neck bore a deep cut consistent with a matchet attack.

The attacker was subsequently charged with murder contrary to Section 326(1) of the Criminal Code, Vol. 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State.

During the trial, the prosecution called four witnesses and tendered five exhibits to support its case, while the defendant also testified in his defense.

In delivering judgement, Justice Archibong held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond every reasonable doubt.

“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 Court declared.

“The judgement marks the end of a case that has haunted the Itoko community for nearly a decade, highlighting the tragic loss of a young promising life and the right course of justice, though delayed,” Chief Udobong Akai, a community leader in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, noted.