Clergyman to die by hanging for killing daughter over witchcraft

An Akwa Ibom State High Court has sentenced a clergyman to death by hanging for killing his daughter over allegations of witchcraft.

An Akwa Ibom State High Court has sentenced a clergyman, Emmanuel Akpan, to death by hanging for killing his daughter over allegations of witchcraft. The court found Akpan guilty of the murder of his 12-year-old daughter, whom he accused of being a witch and subjected to a series of abuses.

The prosecution told the court that Akpan, a pastor in a local church, accused his daughter of being responsible for the death of his brother. He subjected her to physical abuse and forced her to drink a concoction, which led to her death. The court held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced Akpan to death.

The case is a grim reminder of the dangers of witchcraft accusations in Nigeria. Accusations of witchcraft often target the most vulnerable members of society, including children, the elderly and people with disabilities. The conviction and death sentence send a strong signal that the courts will not tolerate such violence.

This echoes the 2020s cases of child abuse linked to witchcraft accusations, which have increasingly come to light as survivors and advocates have spoken out. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a pattern of violence that the justice system is slowly beginning to address.

The winners: the victim’s family, who have received justice; and the Nigerian justice system, which has demonstrated its willingness to convict even religious figures. The losers: the defendant, who will face the death penalty; and the church, which faces reputational damage.

Bottom Line: A clergyman has been sentenced to death for killing his daughter over witchcraft accusations. The court has spoken. The message is clear: no one is above the law, not even a man of God.