A Cross River State High Court sitting in Calabar has sentenced a pastor, Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim, to death by hanging for the murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey, who had Down syndrome and was allegedly branded a witch before she was killed.
Justice Blessing Egwu of High Court No. 11 delivered the judgment after finding the defendant guilty of murder, bringing to a close a case that sparked outrage among child rights advocates and campaigners against witchcraft accusations.
The incident occurred on February 15, 2025, at about 4 p.m. at No. 7 Jacob Street, off Eyo Edem, in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State.
According to evidence presented before the court, the convict had repeatedly accused his daughter of being a witch and even referred to her as a snake before her death.
The prosecution told the court that after the incident, Etim fled the scene but was later arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and charged with murder.
One of the prosecution’s key witnesses, the deceased’s younger brother, narrated how Deborah had slipped and fallen while returning from disposing of refuse after their father allegedly insisted she should carry out the chore alone.
The witness said he called their father to assist Deborah after she fell.
According to him, the pastor entered the room and instructed him to leave while he attended to the teenager.
He told the court that after some time, the pastor summoned the children back into the room and informed them that Deborah had died.
The deceased’s mother, who had earlier separated from the convict, also testified during the trial, alleging a long history of domestic violence and abuse.
She said she fled the marriage after enduring repeated assaults and claimed her children, including Deborah, had also suffered physical abuse.
The woman, who had been engaged in a custody dispute with the pastor over their three children, appealed for justice for her late daughter throughout the trial.
Reacting to the judgment, Principal Counsel and Co-Founder of the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, James Ibor, described the verdict as a landmark victory against the dangerous practice of branding children as witches.
He said Deborah’s death highlighted the grave risks faced by vulnerable children, particularly those living with disabilities, who are often subjected to false accusations, torture, abandonment and, in some cases, death.
According to him, the court’s decision sends a clear message that witchcraft branding and violence against children are criminal acts that will attract the full weight of the law.
Ibor added that the judgment represented not only justice for Deborah but also a significant step in efforts to eradicate harmful traditional practices that violate children’s rights.
He commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Cross River State Attorney-General, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the judiciary for their roles in securing the conviction.
The rights lawyer also acknowledged partner organisations that provided financial and psychosocial support to the victim’s mother and siblings throughout the trial.
The Basic Rights Counsel Initiative reaffirmed its commitment to combating witchcraft branding and child abuse, disclosing that it had secured the conviction of six rapists within the last six months.
The conviction has been hailed by child rights advocates as a major legal victory in the fight against violence, discrimination and harmful stereotypes targeting children, especially those living with disabilities.