A High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has delivered a dramatic judgment in the murder case pertaining to Godwin Ikoiwak, a lawyer with the state’s Ministry of Justice, convicting five persons – including his wife, in-laws, a Catholic priest, and a medical doctor.
According to BarristerNG.com report, the presiding judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang, found Mrs. Abasieseabanga Ikoiwak, the deceased’s wife, guilty of conspiracy and sentenced her to two years in prison, with retroactive from February 18, 2022. However, she was acquitted of the murder charge.
Her mother, Margaret Patrick Umoh, and sister, Owoidoho Patrick Umoh, were both convicted for conspiracy and murder, receiving 10-year prison sentences each. The court applied the legal doctrine of “last seen,” as both women were reportedly the last known individuals with the deceased before his death.
The case stemmed from the mysterious death of Barrister Ikoiwak, who died on February 20, 2022, after ingesting organophosphate poison (popularly known as Ota piapia) during a visit to his wife’s family home in Nung Udoe Itak.
A post-mortem by Dr. Emeka Nwafor confirmed poisoning, along with disturbing physical injuries to Ikoiwak’s eye socket, neck, and wrist.
The situation grew even murkier when it was discovered that the body had been falsely presented to St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, as if he had died of an asthma attack. This cover-up was allegedly arranged by Rev. Father Gabriel Ekong, the hospital administrator, following a request from another Catholic priest, Rev. Father Mbeke, who is close to the deceased’s wife.
Under Fr. Ekong’s instructions, Dr. Imoh Johnson created a hospital file and issued a fake death certificate. Both men were convicted for conspiracy and falsifying medical records, earning them two-year jail terms each.
A sixth defendant, Dr. Isaac Njoku, was acquitted of all charges.
The court took into account mitigating factors, including the age and health of the mother-in-law and the fact that one of the accused had just given birth. Justice Nkanang also noted that the state is moving away from capital punishment.
The trial involved 18 witnesses and 51 court exhibits. Despite the convictions, many observers were left unsatisfied.
Effiong Abia, lawyer to Dr. Johnson, vowed to appeal the ruling, arguing that the court did not prove his client knowingly falsified the medical report.
Meanwhile, friends and family of the deceased voiced strong disappointment. Sunny Anyanwu, a close friend, criticized the leniency and questioned why Rev. Father Mbeke, a key figure in the cover-up, was not prosecuted.
Anyanwu also recalled a phone call from the late Ikoiwak, who said he was going to his wife’s village to resolve a paternity dispute involving his children — a revelation that was submitted as evidence during the trial.
The Akwa Ibom State Government has already filed a notice of appeal, seeking a more thorough review of the court’s judgment.
•Culled from barristerng.com
