ISAAC JOB, UYO
The prime suspect standing trial in the murder of Akwa Ibom job seeker Uduak Akpan has denied in court ever knowing the victim Miss Iniubong Umoren who was murdered in cold blood last year and buried in shallow grave in the suspect father’s compound.
The 21-year-old also denied raping anyone since he was born, as the case was adjourned to Monday, 11th April, 2022 for hearing .
Akpan, who is standing trial on a two count charge of murder and rape, was giving evidence as he opened his defense on Thursday after the Prosecution closed its case last month.
He told the Court that he got to know about the name of the deceased “Iniubong Umoren” when he was served with the proceedings of the trial while awaiting trial in Prison custody.
His words: “My Lord, I do not know Miss Iniubong Umoren. I only came to know that name when I was served with the proceedings of this trial at the Prison.
“the second charge of rape, my Lord, I do not know anything about rape. I have never raped anybody. I pleaded guilty because I had fever on that day and my IPO’s influence in the Court.” He said.
On why he pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him during his initial arraignment before the first trial judge, Justice Bennett Ilaumoh, in July, 2021, Uduak Frank Akpan said he had fever on that day.
After hearing the evidence, the trial Judge Justice Bassey Nkanang ordered that Uduak Frank Akpan who is standing trial with his father ,Mr. Frank Akpan
as the second accused person, and his sister, the third accused, be remanded in Uyo Correctional Centre till the next adjourned date.
