Court sentences man to death for murdering friend over debt

Court sentences man to death for murdering friend over debt

The Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo has sentenced AkpanikoAbasi James to death by hanging for the murder of his friend, Ephraim Edet Okon.

Justice Bassey Nkanang delivered the judgment, bringing an end to a protracted legal battle that began in 2021.

Recounting the details of the case, the judge noted that the convict had brutally killed Okon, aged 22, along Gibbs Street in Uyo. The tragic incident occurred when the victim visited James to collect a debt owed to him.

Justice Nkanang condemned the act as premeditated and heinous, emphasizing the importance of justice for the victim and his family.

“On the date of the incident, the deceased Ephraim reportedly approached his friend who had bought a Lexus Jeep, demanding that he refund the debt said to be less than a N100,000 naira to him, but Akpanikoabasi allegedly refused.

“He (the convict) was said to have told the deceased, during arguments, that he would kill him and nothing would happen.

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“Shortly after the threat, the convict quickly reversed his jeep turned towards his friend on top speed and hit him directly, while the force lifted the deceased on top the front bonnet as his head smashed into the front windscreen.

“He then drove for a distance, applied break for the body to fall down and ran over him.

“He immediately drove to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) office at Ekpanya Street, Uyo – off Ikot Ekpene road. The then office was farther away from the Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force within the proximity of Gibbs Street, where the incident occurred. He was advised by NSCDC officers to report to the Police.

“At the police station, he claimed, according to one of his statements, that he encountered two robbers armed with Axe and guns who attempted to rob him. By the time the remains of his friend was rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead,” the case file reads.

However, the state preferred a lone count charge of murder against Akpanikoabasi, and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), F. J. Itim, led Glory Ntekpere Esq for the state, while Barr Ekpenyong Ntekim, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for justice in the state, led Eyo Okon Esq, and Mrs Unwana Udoh Esq for the defence.

However, Justice Nkanang, relying on the superior arguments of the state prosecutors in their diligent prosecution of the convict, maintained that the murder case established against the convict had been proven beyond every reasonable doubt and consequently found him guilty as charged.

“You are hereby sentenced to death by hanging, and you will be hanged in the neck until you be dead,” Nkanang reeled out the final verdict.

Court sentences man to death for murdering friend over debt