An Akwa Ibom State High court sitting in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital has sentenced to prison Mrs Abasieseabanga Godwin Ikoiwak alongside her aged mother, her sister as well as Dr Imoh Johnson and Rev Father Gabriel Ekong of St. Luke’s hospital Annua.
It would be recalled that the state filed a case against Abasieseabanga Godwin Ikoiwak in 2022 for allegedly killing her husband Late Barr Godwin Ikoiwak a State counsel employed by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice .
After autopsy, the deceased was said to have died of poisoning from ingested Organophosphate (popularly referred to as Ota piapia) in the house of his mother in-law (2nd Defendant) where he went on a visit. The corpse was also reported to have unexplained physical injuries on the left eye socket, neck and wrist. Rev Father Mbeke was said to have called Rev Father Gabriel Ekong, the Administrator of St Luke’s hospital to receive the corpse. He then instructed Dr Imoh Johnson to open a file, issue a medical report and death certificate, which falsely claimed that the deceased was admitted and treated for asthma before he died at the hospital.
The trial Judge ,Justice Bassey Nkanang after reviewing the history of the case, evidence of witnesses, Exhibits, submissions of the Prosecution and Defence in a detailed judgement, convicted 5 of the 6 Defendants while the 6th Defendant – Dr Isaac Njoku was discharged and aquited.
The first Defendant Mrs Abasieseabanga Godwin Ikoiwak is the wife of the deceased, second Defendant is the mother in-law and third Defendant, the sister inlaw, were charged with Count 1 Conspiracy to murder – punishable under Section 331 of the Criminal Code, laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000.
They were also charged on Count – 2 Murder punishable Section 326 sub 1 of the Criminal Code, cap 38, volume 2, laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000 and Count 3 – Accessory after the fact of murder punishable unders section 558 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, volume 2, laws of Akwa Ibom State. 2000.
Dr Imoh Johnson And Rev Father Gabriel Ekong Of St. Luke’s hospital Annua were charged on two count of Conspiracy to commit unlawful purpose in count 1V, punishable under Section 556(1)(f) of the Criminal Code cap 38, volume 2 laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000. And (Count 5) Issuance of false certificate by Public Officer punishable under Section 109 of the Criminal Code, cap 38 volume 2, laws of Akwa Ibom State 2000.
Speaking after the Judgement, the state counsel Barr Joseph Umoren said it was a fair judgment while counsel to 4th defendant Effiong Abia has served notice of intention to appeal the judgment.
Also, the family of late Barr. Godwin Ikoiwak has expressed displeasure over the judgement.
Speaking on behalf of the family, a friend to the diceased , Mr Sunny Anyawu who the late Barr. Godwin Ikoiwa had called that he was going to the wife’s village in Ikono to report the paternal issue of his children , Said that was not the judgement they expected.
The 300 pages of judgement which bordered on Murder, Conspiracy, issuance of false death certificate, had 18 witnesses and 51 exhibit .
Source: Grace Udoma, FRCN – UYO
