Date: July 21, 2026
SUNTV Global Channel — Child rights organisations have welcomed the conviction and death sentence handed to Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim for the murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah Bassey, describing the ruling as a landmark victory in the fight against violence linked to witchcraft accusations.
Justice Blessing Egwu of the Cross River State High Court found the cleric guilty of murdering Deborah, a teenager living with Down syndrome, after falsely accusing her of witchcraft. The court sentenced him to death by hanging.
Reacting to the judgment, Safe Child Africa, Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AFAW), and the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI) said the ruling sends a strong message that violence committed under the guise of witchcraft beliefs is a serious criminal offence that will not go unpunished.
The organisations described Deborah’s death as a tragic reminder of the dangers of witchcraft branding, particularly against children living with disabilities, and urged governments at all levels to strengthen child protection measures across the country.
They called for stricter regulation of religious organisations, compulsory child protection training for pastors and faith leaders, and expanded public awareness campaigns to combat harmful superstitious beliefs that often lead to abuse and violence.
The groups also commended the Cross River State High Court, the Nigeria Police Force, the Attorney General of Cross River State, prosecutors, investigators, and other stakeholders for their roles in securing the conviction.
Speaking after the judgment, Safe Child Africa founder Gary Foxcroft said the ruling should serve as a turning point in protecting vulnerable children, stressing that no child should lose their life because of false accusations of witchcraft.
Similarly, Advocacy for Alleged Witches founder Leo Igwe said the judgment reinforces the principle that superstition can never serve as a legal defence for murder, while Basic Rights Counsel Initiative co-founder James Ibor described the verdict as both justice for Deborah and a strong warning to perpetrators of violence against children.
The organisations reaffirmed their commitment to protecting vulnerable children and called for sustained collaboration between governments, religious leaders, and communities to eliminate witchcraft-related abuse and ensure every child enjoys the right to life, dignity, and protection.
