UMOREN: Suspected killer changes his statement; judge sets judgement date

The first accused person in the murder of a job seeker Iniubong Umoren in Akwa Ibom has changed his statement.

He has now pleaded not guilty.

Uduak Frank Akpan is standing trial over the murder of Umoren, a graduate of Philosophy, University of Uyo whom he allegedly lured with a job offer, raped and murdered.

Akpan, the prime at the beginning of the trial by Justice Bennett Illaumoh pleaded guilty to killing late Umoren.

The court now presided over by Justice Bassey Nkanang has begun the de novo trial and Akpan who appeared before the court alongside the 2nd accused(his father) and 3rd accused(Sister) made a u-turn and pleaded not guilty to the two-count charges of murder and rape preferred against him.

His father, Frank Akpan and his sister, Anwan Bassey Akpan respectively pleaded not guilty to the charge of accessory before the fact and obstructing arrest.

Earlier, Uruan local government area chairman Iniobong Ekpeyong and one Kufre Effiong who were given witness summon, appeared and gave evidence in court.

Ekpeyong told the court how he facilitated the arrest of the first accused who incidentally is his cousin.

According to him, he learnt about the murder of Iniubong Umoren from a social media post that the second accused Frank Akpan had been arrested by the police.

Ekpenyong said he received calls from various corners asking him to intervene because Frank Akpan, a retiree, needed urgent medical treatment.

According to the chairman, he called one of his cousins, one Kufre Effiong and the DPO of Uruan LGA who converged at his Ewet Housing residence where Uduak confessed he killed the lady.

Justice Bassey Nkanang then adjourned the case to Monday, November 15, 2021, promising to give an accelerated hearing with a view to passing judgement before Easter, 2022.