A legal practitioner has been arraigned before a High Court in Akwa Ibom State over the alleged killing of her husband, following the discovery of a long-hidden family secret involving their houseboy.
The defendant, identified as Abasiesebanga Ikoiwak, is accused of orchestrating the death of her husband, Barrister Godwin Ikoiwak, after he allegedly discovered that the young man living with them as a houseboy was in fact her biological son, not her younger brother as previously claimed.
According to evidence presented by the prosecution, the couple had lived together for several years with the boy in their household. The deceased reportedly believed the boy was a relative of his wife until he began to notice inconsistencies that raised suspicions about the child’s true identity.
A key prosecution witness told the court that the late barrister had confided in friends about growing marital tensions and concerns over his wife’s past. He allegedly revealed that his wife had earlier worked as a house help and became pregnant under controversial circumstances, information she had concealed throughout their marriage.
The court heard that the deceased planned to confront the issue formally by involving family elders, but he was killed before any meeting could take place. His death triggered a police investigation that led to the arrest of the accused and several other suspects.
During proceedings, investigators reportedly tendered statements and audio evidence linking the accused to the crime. The prosecution maintains that the killing was premeditated and carried out to prevent the revelation of the secret.
The defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charge, while the court ordered that she be remanded in custody pending the continuation of trial. The case has been adjourned to a later date for further hearing.