By Dennis Udoma, U yo
The suspects in late Iniobong Umoren’s case, Mr. Uduakabasi Akpan and his father, Frank Akpan appeared in Akwa Ibom State High Court 6 Monday, July 26, 2021 on a three count charge of murder, rape and accessory after the fact.
The duo are joined as first and second accused persons in suit No. HU/87C/ 2021 between the state versus the accused persons.
The accused are standing trial before the court, having been accused of allegedly murdering one Iniobong Umoren, a 26-year old graduate of philosophy of the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom state in April 2021.
Umoren was allegedly lured, abducted and later murdered on the 29th day of April, 2021 by the first accused, Uduakabasi Akpan, on the pretext of offering her a job; an offence which is punishable under section 326(1) of the criminal code, cap 33 vol.2, laws of Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria, 2000 and rape which is contrary to section 367 of the criminal code, cap 38 vol. 2 of Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria, 2000.
However, when the charges were read during the arraignment, the first accused pleaded guilty to the murder charge but pleaded not guilty to the second charge of rape.
His father, Frank Akpan, who is being prosecuted on a one count charge of accessory after the facts, however pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Consequently, the court presided over by Justice Bennett Illaumo adjourned the matter to August 18, 2021 for further hearing.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the proceedings, the state Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Barrister Uko Udom (SAN) assured the public that justice would be done.
He said a capital offence does not carry any time bar adding that, in the next ten years or more anybody found guilty in the same matter can still be prosecuted.
“In criminal prosecution we rely on the evidence from the investigations brought by the official investigators of the case.
” We have gone through all the investigation reports by all security operatives that handled the investigation. Currently the two that have been arraigned today are people that we have sufficient evidence to prosecute.
” There have been so much in the social media and we prosecute cases based on what official investigating authorities present by way of facts or evidence.
“Count 3, is talking about accessory after the facts. If someone commits an offense and another person assists that person in an attempt to evade justice, you are charged as accessory after the facts.
“And let people not start wondering about all kinds of stories. In criminal prosecution there is no time bar to criminal culpability. If tomorrow, or even 10 years from now, evidence comes out that can tie anyone who is not charged today to this crime, that person will still be charged”, he said.
Speaking also with journalists, Counsel to Uduak Akpan, first accused person, Barrister Samson Abdullah said ” Before now I have had no contact with the first accused.
It is just today that I took over the defense of the accused, so the court called upon me to put up an appearance for the first accused person which I graciously did in line with the mandate of the counsel. Emms Ekongson appeared for the second accused person, Frank Akpan.
However, the case has been adjourned to August 18, 2021.
