Nigerian guitarist Fiokee, whose real name is Ifiok Effanga, has reacted to the judgment delivered by an Akwa Ibom State High Court, which sentenced the killer of his sister, Emem Effanga, to death. The ruling, delivered by Hon. Justice Ekpo Ntekim, brought closure to a case that has drawn emotional attention since the tragic incident occurred.
The court found the defendant, Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson, guilty of a two-count charge bordering on murder and stealing. As a result, he was handed a capital sentence, to be carried out either by hanging or lethal injection, in accordance with the law. The judgment followed the court’s conclusion that the evidence presented during the trial clearly established the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Reacting to the development, Fiokee took to social media to express a mix of relief and gratitude, noting that justice had finally been served after months of legal proceedings. According to him, the family had been pursuing the case since March of the previous year. In his message, he thanked God for the outcome and used the moment to caution the public against taking lives, stressing that no one has the right to end a life they did not create.
Court proceedings revealed that the incident took place on February 6, 2025, at the residence of the deceased, who was a makeup artist based in Uyo. The convict had reportedly visited her home on Aka Road when a disagreement broke out over a mobile phone. What began as a dispute escalated into violence, with the defendant assaulting and strangling the victim before fleeing the scene with the device.
Following swift investigative efforts by law enforcement, the suspect was tracked and apprehended two days later, on February 8, 2025, at a church along Nsikak Eduok Avenue in Uyo. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to committing the crime, further strengthening the prosecution’s case.
In delivering the final judgment, Justice Ntekim held that the prosecution had successfully proven its case. The court also noted that the penalty for the theft charge was absorbed into the capital punishment for murder. The ruling marks the end of a painful chapter for the Effanga family, while also serving as a reminder of the consequences of violent crime.
