Man Bags Death Sentence For Killing Father In Akwa Ibom
Over witchcraft claims, to die by hanging
An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Ikot Ekpene has sentenced a 31-year-old man, Edidiong Pius Ototi to death by hanging for killing his father, late Mr Pius David Ototi.
In his confessional statement at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Edidiong, a native of Ikot Akwa in Obot Akara Local Government Area, had admitted murdering his 60-year-old father on November 18, 2018.
He thereafter buried the corpse inside a pit toilet claiming that his late father was a wizard.
Justice Augustine Odokwo, who delivered judgment on Monday after finding the accused guilty, said the offence is punishable by death, under section 326 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Akwa Ibom State 2000.
According to Justice Odokwo, the prosecuting team from the State Ministry of Justice was able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused person actually committed the murder.
Clad in black with a sentencing cap to match, Justice Odokwo held that; “Ototi should be hanged by the neck until he dies” and prayed that God should have mercy upon his soul.
In delivering the judgment that lasted for about an hour, the presiding judge said Ototi had no right under the law to take the life of his 60-year-old father, whom he accused of being responsible for the untimely death of his two grandchildren.
However, before the death sentence was finally pronounced, Edidiong sent the courtroom into grave silence, quoting some Bible passages to beg for forgiveness while requesting the Judge to tamper justice with mercy.
