Murdered lawyer: Angry reactions as wife, mother-in-law bag less jail after conviction

The family and acquaintances of the late Barr Godwin Ikoiwak, a counsel with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice, have expressed dismay over the recent judgment by a state high court sitting in Uyo, the state capital.

The concerned family members and friends are bitter over the court’s judgement in relation to the murder of their son.

They lamented that maximum punishments were not meted on the offenders as only two and 10 years’ confinements were given to persons established by the court to have been involved in murder and accessory to murder

The wife of the deceased, Barr Abasiesebanga Ikoiwak, who was the 1st Defendant, alongside her aged 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) stood trial on a five-count charge bothering on: conspiracy to murder, murder, accessory after the fact of murder, conspiracy to commit unlawful purpose and issuance of false certificate by Public Officer.

Justice Bassey Nkanang on extended jurisdiction from Mkpat Enin gave the judgement in suit number: Hu/50/2022 State vs (1) Abasieseabanga Godwin Ikoiwak (2) Margaret Patrick Umoh (3) Owoidoho Patrick Umoh (4) Dr Imoh Johnson (5) Dr Isaac Njoku, Rev Father Gabriel Ekong.

Two other defendants, Udeme Patrick Umoh and Isaiah Gideon Isaiah are still at large

The 1,2,3 defendants were charged with (Count 1) conspiracy to murder – punishable under Section 331 of the Criminal Code, laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000. (Count – 2); murder- punishable under Section 326(1) of the Criminal Code, cap 38, volume 2, laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000. (Count 3); accessory after the fact of murder- punishable under section 558 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, volume 2, laws of Akwa Ibom State. 2000.

The 4, 5, 6 defendants (Dr Imo Johnson, Rev Father Gabriel Ekong and Dr Isaac Njoku), all staffers of St Luke’s hospital, were charged with two count of conspiracy to commit unlawful purpose in count 4, punishable under Section 556(1)(f) of the Criminal Code cap 38, volume 2 laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000; (Count 5) Issuance of false certificate by Public Officer punishable under Section 109 of the Criminal Code, cap 38 volume 2, laws of Akwa Ibom State 2000.

A total of 14 witnesses were called: the Prosecution called 8 witnesses while the Defence team called 6 witnesses. 51 Exhibits were tendered, identified and admitted.