Man To Die By Hanging For Killing Pregnant Wife

An Akwa-Ibom State High Court in Ikot Ekpene has sentenced a man to death by hanging for killing his pregnant wife.

The convict, Friday John Uko, a native of Ikot Ossom in Obot Akara Local Government Area, was condemned by the court on a one count charge of murder.

The trial judge, Justice Ntong Ntong, while delivering the judgment, held that the convict was said to have kicked his three-month-old pregnant wife, Patience, on August 14, 2014, because she removed N1,000 from his pocket to buy food for their seven children.

Justice Ntong expressed displeasure that a pregnant wife who should have been pampered and cared for by her husband was killed by the same man.

The judge said the instant death of Patience showed the intention to kill and the force the husband exerted in pushing his wife down.

“The accused pushed his wife down having known that she was pregnant and that he ought to know that a pregnant woman ought to be pampered and treated with love and not violence.

“The case is straightforward and that the accused had told the court through his extrajudicial statement that he caused the death of his wife by kicking her because of misunderstanding over N1,000. Anyone who unlawfully kills another is entitled to face the law,” the judge held.

Justice Ntong thereafter ordered that Uko be hanged until he his confirmed dead.
The convict, whose lawyer was not present in court, pleaded for mercy to enable him go home and take care of his children.