A High Court in Calabar found Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim guilty of murdering his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey, after falsely accusing her of witchcraft, and sentenced him to death by hanging.
A High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim, 51, to death by hanging for the murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey, whom he falsely accused of being a witch.
Justice Blessing Egwu of High Court No. 11 delivered the judgment after finding that the prosecution had proved the charge of murder beyond reasonable doubt. The court held that the evidence presented established Etim’s guilt and consequently imposed the death sentence prescribed under the law.
Court Finds Pastor Guilty of Murder
According to court proceedings, Deborah, who lived with Down syndrome, was subjected to false accusations of witchcraft before she was killed on February 15, 2025.
The prosecution argued that the teenager’s death resulted directly from the actions of her father, and the court accepted the evidence presented during the trial. Justice Egwu ruled that the prosecution had successfully established all the ingredients of the offence of murder.
The court subsequently ordered that Etim be executed by hanging in accordance with Nigerian law.
Child Rights Advocates Welcome Judgment
The judgment has been welcomed by child rights advocates, who described it as a significant step in the fight against violence linked to witchcraft accusations.
The Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI), which followed the case, described the conviction as a landmark victory for children who have been subjected to abuse after being branded witches. The organisation said the ruling reinforces the principle that perpetrators of violence against children will be held accountable under the law.
Witchcraft Allegations Remain a Concern
Human rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about the continued abuse of children in parts of southern Nigeria over allegations of witchcraft.
Children living with disabilities or medical conditions have, in some instances, faced stigma, abandonment or violence after being falsely accused of supernatural practices.
Advocates have continued to call for stronger public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of child protection laws to prevent similar incidents.
The case attracted national attention following Deborah’s death in 2025 and the subsequent murder trial.
With Monday’s judgment, the High Court concluded that the evidence established the pastor’s criminal responsibility for his daughter’s death.
Under Nigerian law, a death sentence imposed by a High Court is subject to the appellate process, and the convict retains the right to challenge the judgment before higher courts.
- Verified: Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim was sentenced to death by hanging by a High Court in Calabar.
- Verified: The victim, Deborah Bassey, was 16 years old and had Down syndrome.
- Verified: The trial court found the pastor guilty of murder beyond reasonable doubt. The conviction remains subject to the normal appeal process available under Nigerian law.