A High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a 51-year-old cleric, Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim, to death by hanging for the murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Blessing Egwu of High Court No. 11 in Calabar, found Etim guilty of murder in Suit No. HC/54C/2025, State v. Ubong Bassey Etim.
Deborah, who was living with Down syndrome, was reportedly branded a witch before she was killed on February 15, 2025. The tragic incident sparked widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over the persistent practice of witchcraft accusations against children, particularly those living with disabilities.
The prosecution received support from the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), a child rights advocacy organisation, which hailed the court’s decision as a landmark judgment in the fight against harmful traditional practices and violence against vulnerable children.
Reacting to the verdict, the Principal Counsel of BRCI, James Ibor, Esq., described the judgment as justice for Deborah and a significant step toward protecting the rights of children.
“This judgment is not only justice for Deborah but also a reaffirmation of the fundamental principle that every child has the right to life, dignity and protection,” Ibor said.
He added that the ruling sends a clear message that the branding of children as witches and the abuse or killing of vulnerable persons are serious criminal offences that will attract the full weight of the law.
The case has reignited national conversations about the dangers of witchcraft accusations, especially against children with disabilities, and the need for stronger enforcement of child protection laws across Nigeria.
