Cross River Court Sentences Father to Death for Killing Daughter with Down Syndrome

A High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a man, Ubong Badsey Etim, to death by hanging for the murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Etim, who had Down syndrome.

Justice Blessing Egwu delivered the judgment after finding Etim guilty of murder. The court heard that the convict had falsely accused his daughter of being a witch because of her disability before killing her.

Down syndrome is a lifelong genetic condition that affects physical and cognitive development, but individuals living with the condition can lead healthy and fulfilling lives with appropriate care and support.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel and co-founder of the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, Barrister James Ibor, described the ruling as a landmark decision in the fight against the stigmatization and abuse of children living with disabilities.

He said Deborah’s death highlighted the devastating consequences of witchcraft accusations, which continue to expose vulnerable children to rejection, abuse, abandonment and, in some cases, death.

According to him, the judgment sends a strong message that branding children as witches is a criminal act and that perpetrators will be held accountable under the law.

“This judgment is not only justice for Deborah, it is also a significant milestone in the fight to end witchcraft branding and other harmful practices against children. It reinforces the fundamental rights of every child to life, dignity and protection,” he said.

The ruling has been welcomed by child rights advocates as a significant step toward protecting children, particularly those living with disabilities, from harmful cultural practices and ensuring justice for victims of abuse.