‎Calabar Court Sentences Pastor to Death for Murder of 16-Year-Old Daughter Branded a Witch

A High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a 51-year-old pastor, Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim, to death by hanging for the murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey, who was reportedly accused of witchcraft.

‎Justice Blessing Egwu of High Court No. 11 delivered the judgment in Suit No. HC/54C/2025, The State v. Ubong Bassey Etim, after finding the defendant guilty of murder.

‎The tragic incident occurred on February 15, 2025. Deborah, who lived with Down syndrome, was allegedly subjected to false accusations of witchcraft before she was killed, a case that has reignited concerns over the abuse and stigmatisation of children living with disabilities.

‎Reacting to the judgment, the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), which supported the prosecution, described the verdict as a significant victory for child protection and the fight against harmful traditional practices.

Speaking after the ruling, the Principal Counsel of BRCI, James Ibor, said the judgment reaffirmed the constitutional rights of every child to life, dignity and protection.

“Today’s judgment sends a strong message that acts of violence arising from witchcraft accusations are criminal offences and that perpetrators will be held fully accountable under the law,” he said.

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‎Ibor noted that Deborah’s death highlighted the devastating consequences of witchcraft branding, particularly against children living with disabilities, who are often subjected to rejection, abuse, abandonment and, in some cases, death.

‎He pledged that the organisation would continue its advocacy against witchcraft accusations and child abuse across Cross River State, stressing the need to protect vulnerable children from harmful cultural practices.

‎Vanguard report that Ibor also commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Cross River State Attorney General, Etubom Ededem Ani, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Okoi Ukam, prosecuting counsel Patrick Usang and Deborah Tom, as well as Dr. David Ushie of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, for their contributions to securing the conviction.

‎The conviction adds to a growing number of court rulings in Cross River State aimed at tackling witchcraft-related violence against children, as rights groups continue to call for stricter enforcement of child protection laws and sustained public enlightenment to eliminate the stigmatisation of children, especially those living with disabilities.