Groups hail death sentence for pastor who killed daughter

Justice Blessing Egwu of the High Court sitting in Calabar has convicted John Sunday Eyo for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl.

The judge found Eyo guilty after the conclusion of his trial on Tuesday and ordered that he be remanded permanently in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The conviction has been welcomed by child rights advocates, who described it as a significant step in the fight against sexual violence regarding children in Cross River State.

In a statement, the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) commended the Cross River State Police Command for its investigation and the Office of the Attorney-General for successfully prosecuting the case.

The organisation also praised the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Etubom Ededem Ani, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Okoi Ukam, and Linda Asuquo for their roles in securing the conviction.

BRCI further acknowledged the contributions of its team and civil society partners, describing their efforts as instrumental in securing justice for the survivor and advancing child protection.

Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding children, the organisation stressed that Cross River State has zero tolerance for child abuse and called for sustained collaboration among law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, civil society organisations and the public to combat violence against children.

It added that protecting children and ensuring justice for survivors remain a shared responsibility.

Meanwhile, Safe Child Africa, Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AFAW) and BRCI have hailed the judgment of the Cross River State High Court, Calabar, which sentenced Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim to death by hanging for murdering his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey, who had Down syndrome.

The organisations described the judgment as a landmark victory for child protection and justice, saying it sends a strong message that violence committed under the guise of witchcraft beliefs will not be tolerated.

Justice Blessing Egwu found Etim guilty of killing Deborah after falsely accusing her of being a witch.

Reacting to the judgment, the Founder of Safe Child Africa, Gary Foxcroft, described the ruling as a significant milestone but cautioned that more must be done to prevent children from becoming victims of witchcraft accusations.

The groups urged governments at all levels to strengthen the regulation of churches and other religious organisations, introduce mandatory child protection training for pastors and religious leaders, and invest in sustained public awareness campaigns to challenge harmful beliefs surrounding witchcraft.

According to the organisations, Deborah’s death exposed the devastating consequences of witchcraft accusations, a harmful practice that continues to put children, particularly those living with disabilities, at risk of rejection, abuse, torture and even murder.

They commended Justice Egwu for what they described as a courageous judgment and also praised the Nigeria Police Force, the Attorney-General of Cross River State, Etubom Ededem Ani, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Okoi Ukam, as well as the prosecutors, investigators and expert witnesses whose professionalism ensured justice was served.

The organisations also acknowledged the support provided to Deborah’s family by partner organisations throughout the prosecution.

They further advocated the expansion of the Prevent Abuse of Children Today (PACT) campaign, describing it as a proven initiative that has helped communities reject witchcraft accusations through education and dialogue.

Also speaking, the Founder of Advocacy for Alleged Witches, Leo Igwe, said the judgment makes it clear that superstition cannot be used as a defence for murder.

In a statement, the Principal Counsel and co-founder of the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, James Ibor, said the judgment serves as a strong warning that perpetrators of violence against children will be held accountable.

The organisations noted that for more than two decades they have worked with governments, communities and faith leaders to protect children from abuse linked to witchcraft accusations, and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that every child enjoys the right to life, dignity and protection.