By John Ikani
An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo on Thursday convicted Uduak-Abasi Akpan for the murder of jobseeker Iniubong Umoren.
Umoren was declared missing in May 2021 after leaving home to meet Akpan over a potential job offer in Akwa Ibom and was found dead days later.
In the over two hours judgement by the presiding Judge, Bassey Nkanang, the convict was found guilty of rape and murder and sentenced to be hung on the neck till he dies.
However, the court discharged and acquitted his father, Frank Akpan and sister, Anwan Bassey (2nd and 3rd accused) who were standing trial for accessory after the fact to murder.
After his conviction by the court, the judge asked Mr Akpan if he would like to say “something” to the court.
“My Lord, I am not guilty,” Mr Akpan responded.
But the judge told him that the court had passed that stage. He told him he should say “something” related to the case.
“My Lord, in our country, there’re many assassinations, but nobody is doing something about it,” the convicted man said.
It is not exactly clear what the convicted man wanted to achieve with his remarks in court.
Nigeria is currently facing serious security challenges, including several unresolved killings in different parts of the country.
Akpan reportedly attempted to escape shortly after the sentence was announced by the trial judge but was overpowered by security officials as seen below.
— David Hundeyin (@DavidHundeyin) August 4, 2022
