The family and friends of late Barr. Godwin Ikoiwak, a counsel with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice, have expressed outrage over what they describe as lenient sentences handed down to those convicted of his murder.
Justice Bassey Nkanang of the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo delivered a judgment that has sparked controversy, sentencing the deceased's wife to just two years imprisonment while his mother-in-law and sister-in-law received 10 years each.
Details of the Murder Case
According to court records, Barr. Ikoiwak died from poisoning after ingesting Organophosphate (locally known as "Ota piapia") while visiting his mother-in-law's residence. The autopsy also revealed unexplained physical injuries on the deceased's left eye socket, neck, and ankle.
The wife of the deceased, Barr. Abasiesebanga Ikoiwak (1st Defendant), her mother, Mrs. Margaret Patrick Umoh (2nd Defendant), sister, Owoidoho Patrick Umoh (3rd Defendant), and staff members of St. Luke's Hospital Anua (4th, 5th, 6th Defendants) faced a five-count charge including conspiracy to murder, murder, accessory after the fact of murder, conspiracy to commit unlawful purpose, and issuance of false certificate by a Public Officer.
Evidence presented in court showed that while the wife was not at the scene of the incident but in Calabar, phone records revealed she was in constant communication with her mother and sister during the time of the murder.
Hospital Staff Involvement
The court found that hospital staff had been contacted to create false documentation. A Reverend Father Maurice Mbeke reportedly called Rev. Father Gabriel Ekong, the Administrator of St. Luke's Hospital, to inquire about the possibility of issuing a death certificate for someone who died outside the hospital.
Following this, Rev. Father Ekong instructed Dr. Imoh Johnson to open a file, issue a medical report, and death certificate falsely claiming that the deceased was admitted and treated for asthma before his death at the hospital.
Court Sentences
After a trial that included testimony from 14 witnesses and 51 exhibits, Justice Nkanang convicted five of the six defendants:
Abasieseabanga Godwin Ikoiwak (wife): 2 years for accessory after the fact of murder, starting from her 2022 arrest
Margaret Patrick Umoh (mother-in-law): 10 years for murder
Owoidoho Patrick Umoh (sister-in-law): 10 years for murder
Dr. Imoh Johnson: 2 years from June 25, 2025
Rev. Father Gabriel Ekong: 4 years from June 25, 2025
Dr. Isaac Njoku, the sixth defendant, was discharged and acquitted. The court ordered that all sentences would run concurrently.
Family's Outrage
Barr. Sunny Anyanwu, a friend and university classmate of the deceased, expressed dismay over the judgment, particularly regarding the wife's sentence which effectively means immediate release since it dates back to her 2022 arrest.
"I carefully listened to the judgement, all I can say is that I'm not happy. I'm speaking on behalf of the family, we are not happy, that's not a fair judgement at all," Anyanwu stated.
He questioned why Rev. Father Mbeke, whom he described as "the architect of the whole murder," had not been arrested or brought to trial. Anyanwu also noted that the father of the deceased died in November last year "out of heartbreak."
"Godwin Ikoiwak's soul will never rest in peace, it will continue to roam until it gets justice," he added.
Background of the Case
According to reports, trouble began when Ikoiwak allegedly suspected his wife of infidelity and questioned the paternity of their children. He visited his in-laws in Ikono Local Government to discuss the issue but never returned alive.
His wife later claimed he had driven himself to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment but died due to an asthma attack. She obtained a death certificate supporting this claim. However, the deceased's family noticed bruises on his body and refused to accept this explanation, leading to the legal proceedings.
Barr. Joseph Umoren, who led the prosecution, has served notice of intention to appeal the judgment.
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