Court sentences usher to death for killing girlfriend in Akwa Ibom
Uyo Man Sentenced to Death for Murdering Girlfriend
UYO, Nigeria — Justice Ekpo Ntekim of the Akwa Ibom State High Court has sentenced 33-year-old Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson to death for the murder of his girlfriend, Emem Monday Effanga. Nelson was also convicted on a charge of theft related to the incident.
The court found Nelson guilty of killing Effanga on February 6, 2025, during a confrontation at her residence on Aka Road in Uyo. According to court records, the incident occurred around 7 a.m., coinciding with Nelson’s birthday. He had gone to Effanga’s home to borrow her phone to post birthday pictures on social media.
During the visit, a struggle ensued over the phone, during which Nelson assaulted Effanga, slamming her head against a wall before strangling her to death. After the assault, he fled with her phone.
Nelson was apprehended on February 8, 2025, at a church vigil on Nsikak Eduok Avenue in Uyo. He later confessed to the crime during police interrogation.
In his ruling, Justice Ntekim determined that the sentence for theft was encompassed within the murder charge, affirming the death penalty, which may be carried out by hanging or lethal injection.
