Lawyer’s Murder: Wife,Mother,Sister, Doctor,and Priest Jailed in Akwa Ibom

UYO, Akwa Ibom – Five individuals, including the wife, mother-in-law, sister-in-law of the deceased, a medical doctor, and a Catholic priest, have been convicted and handed jail terms by an Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo for their roles in the 2022 murder of Godwin Ikoiwak, a lawyer with the State Ministry of Justice.

Justice Bassey Nkanang delivered the lengthy judgment, which saw Mrs. Abasieseabanga Godwin Ikoiwak (the deceased’s wife), her mother Mrs. Margaret Patrick Umoh, and her sister Owoidoho Patrick Umoh, along with Dr. Imoh Johnson and Rev. Father Gabriel Ekong of St. Luke’s Hospital Anua, facing various charges. A sixth defendant, Dr. Isaac Njoku, was discharged and acquitted.

The late Barrister Ikoiwak was found to have died from poisoning by ingested organophosphate (“Ota piapia”) at his mother-in-law’s house in Nung Udoe Itak. Post-mortem examination by Dr. Emeka Nwafor also revealed unexplained physical injuries on the deceased’s left eye socket, neck, and wrist.

The Conspiracy and Cover-Up
Evidence presented in court painted a picture of a calculated cover-up. Rev. Father Mbeke, a prominent Catholic priest, reportedly called Rev. Father Gabriel Ekong, the Administrator of St. Luke’s Hospital, to receive the corpse. Father Ekong then instructed Dr. Imoh Johnson to create a false medical report and death certificate, claiming the deceased was admitted and treated for asthma at the hospital before his death.

The court heard that Mrs. Abasieseabanga, though not present at the time of her husband’s murder, sought the assistance of Father Gabriel Ekong, on instruction from Rev. Father Mbeke, to conceal the true circumstances of her husband’s death. Her explanation was to avoid conflict with her husband’s family, with whom she admitted to having a “frosty relationship.”

Sentences Handed Down
The judge delivered a mixed verdict, convicting five of the six defendants.

1.Mrs. Abasieseabanga Godwin Ikoiwak, the deceased’s wife, was convicted of conspiracy and sentenced to two years in prison, commencing from February 18, 2022. She was, however, acquitted of the murder charge.

2.Her mother, Mrs. Margaret Patrick Umoh, and sister, Owoidoho Patrick Umoh, were convicted of murder and conspiracy, receiving 10 years each in prison. The judge applied the “doctrine of last seen,” noting their presence with the deceased shortly before his death.

3.Dr. Imoh Johnson and Rev. Father Gabriel Ekong were convicted of conspiracy to commit unlawful purpose and issuance of false certificates by a public officer. Dr. Johnson received a two-year sentence, while Rev. Father Ekong was sentenced to four years.

Justice Nkanang cited the defendants being first offenders and the state laws’ current de-emphasis on capital punishment as reasons for the reduced sentences. He also considered the age and health of Mrs. Margaret Patrick Umoh and the fact that Owoidoho Patrick Umoh had a newborn at the time of the incident.

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Family and Legal Team Express Disappointment
The judgment has not been met with universal approval. Counsel to Dr. Imoh Johnson, Effiong Abia, stated his intention to appeal the judgment, arguing that his client’s prior knowledge of the falsity of the documents was not adequately considered.

The state has already served notice of appeal, indicating further legal proceedings in this complex case that involved 18 witnesses and 51 exhibits.

The family of the late Barrister Ikoiwak also expressed deep displeasure. Mr. Sunny Anyawu, a friend of the deceased, highlighted a telephone conversation (admitted as an Exhibit) where Barrister Ikoiwak had informed him of his intention to visit his wife’s village to discuss a paternity issue concerning his children.

Anyawu questioned why Rev. Father Mbeke, who allegedly facilitated the cover-up, was not arrested and charged. He also pondered whether “first offenders” must commit a second murder to face the full force of the law.