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A middle-aged man, Anyanime Festus was today, February 15, sentenced to death by hanging by Honorable Justice A. A. Onyebueke of Cross River State High Court, sitting in Akamkpa for killing his 11-year-old twin daughters, Mfoniso and Emediong Anyanime, after he accused them of being witches.
Mr. Anyanime killed the duo in January 11, 2017 in Uyanga community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.
Reports gathered indicate that the two female identical twins were found lying along Uyanga bush track in Akamkpa, with one of the twins found dead while the other was lying down and was unable to speak.
Much later, the other twin that was lying down was able to speak and she gave her name as Emediong Festus and that of her twin sister as Mfoniso Festus, both 11 years.
That on Jan. 10, 2017, their father told them he was taking them to their mother, and on getting to a bush track, he gave them malt drink suspected to be mixed with poisonous substances.
Shortly after they drank the malt, her sister died and their father abandoned them there.
The other twin later died in the hospital and both corpses were now deposited at the General Hospital, Akamkpa, for autopsy.
Reacting to the judgement, Barr. James Ibor of Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) said:
“This is a great victory to the victims- Mfoniso Anyanime and Emediong Anyanime and the Government of Cross River State at a period witchcraft branding and ritual killing has become a pastime in the State
“The United Nations has urged nations to take measures against abuses linked to Witchcraft beliefs and ritual sacrifice.
“Stop Witchcraft accusations, witch persecution and ritual killing. Blood money is superstition. E no dey work
“Pastors stop witchcraft branding and stigmatisation. It is a Crime”. He said.
