Celebration galore in Akwa-Ibom, as court sentences man to death by hanging

There is currently an air of joy and merriments among the people of Idung Ntuk Umah in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State following the prosecution and subsequent death by hanging, sentenced to one Udobong Stephen Adiahaunwa, by the Akwa Ibom State High Court.

Udobong, aged 48, a father of two and brother to the late Village Head of Idung Ntuk Umah, Gabriel Adiahaunwa, was sentenced by Justice Gabriel Ette after he was convicted on a four count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and terrorism.

In a one hour judgement, the trial judge, Justice Gabriel Ette, found Udobong Stephen Adiahaunwa guilty of conspiring with his gang members now at large and robbing his victims.

He thereafter sentenced him to death by hanging.

“From the totality of my findings, I find as a fact that the prosecution has proved counts 1, 2 and 3 against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

“I find the defendant guilty and convict him accordingly,” the judge declared.

The judgement attracted the complainants and other indigenes of Idung Ntuk Umah, who filled the courtroom to the brim, forcing the authorities to lock the entrance to the court premises.

The Idung Ntuk Umah community celebrated the condemnation of a man they described as “a terror and a nightmare to his community” and applauded Justice Gabriel Ette for his judgement, which they said had restored the confidence of the people in the judiciary.

Meanwhile, the particulars of the case shows that the 47 years old father of two and, brother to the late Village Head of Idung Ntuk Umah, Gabriel Adiahaunwa, was earlier banned from his village because of his atrocities.

The community, however was shocked to spot him, disguised as SARS police operatives, alongside his gang on December 29, 2009, as they stormed the community again and whisked away one Friday Jackson Joe in a Hilux vehicle to an undisclosed location.

Reportedly, the whereabouts of the victim is yet to be ascertained up until date.

Also, on February 28, 2019, Udobong, the primary five dropout invaded the community in the company of members of his secret cult all dressed in Police uniforms to his community and robbed the treasurer of the village, Mr Ediomo Sunday Udoidio, of N970,000 being the proceeds from the sales of the community palm fruits.

On 29 April, 2021, he again imported cultists in army uniform and robbed the Village Palm Estate treasurer, Mr Ubong William Henry, of N850,000, being the money the Idung Ntuk Umah realised from sales of palm fruits.

Similarly , records have it also that on 5 June, 2020, the convicted armed robber returned to his village with members of his secret cult and forcefully initiated teenagers into the group, forcing many to flee from the village while others continued to live in fear.

Udobong was arrested and detained at Akwa Ibom State Police Command’s Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, but was released, prompting the community to petition the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar.

In June 2020, the convict was arrested by operatives of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 6 Headquarters, but was granted bail and he disappeared with his surety.

While in his hideout, he sued the complainant and the Police for breaching his fundamental rights but was rearrested on 4th December, 2020 and charged to court.

Meanwhile, the recent judgement passed on the notorious criminal attracted wide jubilation among complainants and other indigenes of Idung Ntuk Umah who filled the Courtroom to hear the death sentence passed on a man they say has been terrorising the community for years.