Relief has come for the people of Idung Ntuk Umah in Oruk Anam local government area of Akwa Ibom State as the notorious cult leader of Iceland Confraternity, who was known for terrorising the community with his gang, has been sentenced to death.
The 48-year-old Udobong Stephen Adiahaunwa, a father of two and brother to the late village head of Idung Ntuk Umah, Chief Stephen Gabriel Adiahaunwa, LEADERSHIP gathered, was condemned to die by hanging by Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, the state capital yesterday.
The court headed by Justice Gabriel Ette delivered the judgement nailing the convict on a four-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and terrorism levelled against him, a case, according to the charge sheet, started from the High Court, Oruk Anam LGA, and was later transferred to Uyo Judicial Division.
The particulars of the case showed that “Udobong Stephen Adiahaunwa, who was earlier banned from his village because of his atrocities, stormed the community on 29th December, 2009 with his gang dressed like SARS Police operatives and whisked away one Friday Jackson Joe in a Hilux vehicle, to an unknown location and have not been found till today.”
Again, on 28th February, 2019, Udobong, a primary five dropout was said to have brought cultists in police uniforms to his community and robbed the treasurer of the village, Mr Ediomo Sunday Udoidio of N970,000 being the proceeds from the sales of the community palm fruits.
“Also, on April 29, 2021, he again imported cultists in Army uniforms and robbed the Village Palm Estate Treasurer, Mr Ubong William Henry, of N850,000 being the money the family of Idung Ntuk Umah, realised from sales of palm fruits.”
Besides, on June 5, 2020, the convicted armed robber was said to have returned to his village with members of his secret cult group, and forcefully initiated teenagers into the confraternity, forcing many to flee from the village while others continue to live in fear.
He was arrested and detained at State Police Command’s Headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, but was later released, prompting the community to petition the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, Cross River State.
In June, 2020, the convict was arrested by operatives of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 6 Headquarters, but was granted bail and he disappeared with his surety.
While in his hideouts, he was said to have sued the complainant and the police for breaching his fundamental rights, and was rearrested on December 4, 2020 and charged to court.
In a one-hour judgement, the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Ette found Adiahaunwa guilty of conspiring with his gang members now at large, and robbing his victims and sentenced him to death by hanging.
“From the totality of my findings, I find as a fact that the prosecution has proved counts 1, 2 and 3 against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt. I find the defendant guilty hereby sentenced him to death,” the court held.
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