The Akwa Ibom State High Court, located in Essien Udim Local Government Area, has issued a death sentence by hanging to two brothers convicted of murdering a farmer.
The individuals found guilty are Uduak Udo Umoren, a 48-year-old pastor, and his 34-year-old sibling, Emmanuel Udo Umoren, who works as a commercial motorcyclist.
They were convicted for the killing of Iboro Akpan Joe, a 45-year-old farmer and trader hailing from Ikot Otu in Essien Udim.
It was reported that Joe had accompanied his sister-in-law in Adiasim Ikot Ekon to her late husband’s farm to evaluate the property’s value, intending to utilize the funds for his burial expenses.
Emmanuel, accompanied by his wife, her son, and brother-in-law, reportedly assaulted Joe using a machete and broken bottles while they were on the farm. Despite pleas for help from his sister-in-law and wife, who rushed to the scene upon hearing his cries, Joe was severely beaten and dragged to his family compound near the farm.
At the family compound, it was reported that the two brothers persisted in assaulting Joe until the Youth President of Adiasim Ikot Ekon Village and other community members intervened. They rushed Joe to a hospital in Ikot Ekpene, but he was allegedly denied treatment.
Consequently, he was brought back home and tragically passed away three days later.
In the courtroom, Justice Winifred Effiong, presiding over the case, declared the two brothers guilty of murder and sentenced them to death by hanging.
The court concluded that the prosecution team from the state Ministry of Justice convincingly demonstrated that the brothers intentionally caused Joe’s death, proving their case beyond reasonable doubt.