Hairdresser Sentenced to Life for Attempted Murder of Girl

Uwakmfon Jonah, a 36-year-old hairdresser from Ikot Obong Afaha Clan in Essien Udim Local Government Area, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Akwa Ibom State High Court on August 12, 2024, for the attempted murder of a 12-year-old girl. Justice Winifred Effiong delivered the judgment, stating that Jonah lured the victim under the pretext of buying fresh pepper at the market.

The victim, accompanied by her mother, was attacked in a secluded area where Jonah inflicted deep cuts to the child's neck and eye with a knife. The court established that Jonah's actions demonstrated a clear intent to kill, despite her claims of innocence.

The prosecution successfully proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt, and the judge noted that the law mandates life imprisonment for attempted murder under Section 276 of the Criminal Code. Jonah's defense counsel pleaded for leniency, but the court maintained that it lacked jurisdiction to reduce the sentence.