The Nigerian Bar Association Human Rights Institute (NBA-HRI) has raised serious alarm over what it describes as a grave miscarriage of justice following the brutal murder of Princewill Ikenna in Ikom, Cross River State, and the subsequent collapse of judicial proceedings surrounding the case.
The Institute disclosed that it received a detailed and distressing petition from Mr. Ernest Onyeka concerning the killing of his elder brother, Princewill Ikenna, who was ambushed and murdered on September 4, 2023. According to the report, the deceased was shot three times in the head at close range, a method indicative of a deliberate, execution-style killing, before his Lexus 350 GPS vehicle was forcibly taken.
The violent nature of the attack, the precision of the gunshots, and the calculated theft of the vehicle strongly suggest a premeditated homicide rather than a spontaneous crime.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of NBA-HRI, the Institute described the circumstances not merely as a failure of justice, but as a catastrophic collapse of judicial responsibility capable of eroding public confidence in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
Following the murder, the family of the deceased reportedly activated the vehicle’s tracking device and traced it within hours to a panel beater’s workshop in Lagos, where efforts were allegedly underway to alter the vehicle’s identity.
Police intervention led to the arrest of the panel beater, who implicated one Pastor Peter Uchenna. Subsequent police investigations at Panti, Lagos, reportedly resulted in Pastor Uchenna admitting to driving the deceased’s vehicle from Ikom to Lagos. He further named Pastor Kingsley, Elvis Ntui, and one Barry as the principal actors behind the murder.
Despite these developments, the case allegedly took a troubling turn after it was transferred to Ikom Court 2 in Cross River State. The presiding judge reportedly ordered the release of Pastor Peter Uchenna on purported health grounds, notwithstanding his alleged confession and the existence of material evidence, including the stolen vehicle and ballistic evidence recovered from the victim’s body. The NBA-HRI noted with concern that the same suspect was later seen preaching openly at a church service in Lagos days after his release.
The Institute described the development as deeply disturbing, warning that such judicial conduct goes beyond delay and enters the realm of apparent complicity. According to NBA-HRI, the unexplained adjournments that followed and reports of an extended judicial leave by the presiding judge effectively stalled the trial and created conditions under which suspects could evade justice.
NBA-HRI cautioned that allowing individuals linked to violent crimes to regain freedom under questionable circumstances sends a dangerous signal to criminal networks and undermines the rule of law. The Institute warned that when judicial discretion is perceived to shield suspects in capital offences, it emboldens criminality and places ordinary citizens at grave risk.
In response, NBA-HRI called for urgent intervention by relevant authorities. It urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to institute an immediate forensic investigation into the conduct of the judicial officer involved, particularly the circumstances surrounding the release of the suspect and the handling of the trial.
The Institute also called on the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Professor Bassey Edet Otu, to ensure decisive action by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ededem Charles Ani, including the takeover of prosecution and the re-arrest and prosecution of all named suspects.
In addition, NBA-HRI demanded accountability from the Chief Judge of Cross River State, Hon. Justice Akon Bassey Ikpeme, urging the reassignment of the case to an independent and fearless judicial officer and a comprehensive administrative review of how the matter was handled.
The Institute stressed that the killing of Princewill Ikenna and the events that followed constitute not just a personal tragedy for his family, but a national test of Nigeria’s commitment to justice, accountability, and the sanctity of human life.
NBA-HRI reaffirmed its resolve to closely monitor the case until all identified suspects are returned to court and any judicial officer found culpable in the miscarriage of justice is held fully accountable.
The Institute concluded that justice delayed or subverted in such a manner threatens every Nigerian, warning that impunity cloaked in judicial authority must not be allowed to stand.
Signed:
Sabastine Anyia, Esq.
First Vice President, Nigerian Bar Association
Chairman, NBA Human Rights Institute (NBA-HRI)
December 19, 2025
Related:
Justice for Ikenna: Calls Mount for Cross River AG’s Intervention Over Alleged Negligent Prosecution
