A father has been sentenced to death by hanging for killing his twin daughters back in 2017 (read here).

Anyanime Festus, who was 33 years old at the time, killed his identical twin daughters, Emediong Festus and Mfoniso Festus, both 11 years old after accusing them of being witches.

He deceived them into believing that he was taking them to their mother, but on the way, in a bush path leading to their destination, he stopped and gave them both poisoned malt to drink then abandoned them there on Jan. 11, 2017.

The sisters were found by locals lying along Uyanga bush track in Akamkpa, Cross River state, with one dead and the other too weak to speak. When she eventually spoke, she told them what their father had done before she died in the hospital.

Anyanime Festus on February 15 sentenced to death by hanging by Honorable Justice A. A. Onyebueke of Cross River State High Court, sitting in Akamkpa.

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.”