Uduak Frank Akpan, suspect in the murder of Iniubong Umoren, a job seeker in Akwa Ibom State has made a u-turn, pleading not guilty to the case.
Akpan is standing trial over the murder of Umoren, a graduate of Philosophy, the University of Uyo on April 29, whom he allegedly lured, raped and murdered under the pretence of offering her a job.
Recalled that in July, the suspect, Akpan, the prime suspect had pleaded guilty to killing late Ms Umoren when he was arraigned before Justice Bennett Illaumoh.
His father and second accused person, Frank Akpan, a retired Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Health, and his sister and third accused, Bassey Anwan Akpan, a graduate of English Language and Literary Studies, respectively pleaded not guilty to the two-count of accomplice after the fact and harbouring of the first accused in order to escape punishment knowing that he murdered Iniubong Umoren.
The arraignment of the Akpan, who appeared before the court alongside his father, who is the 2nd accused and his sister, the 3rd accused took another turn as the 1st accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charges of murder and rape levied against him.
His father, Frank Akpan and his sister, Anwan Bassey Akpan respectively pleaded not guilty to the charge of accomplice before the fact and obstructing arrest.
The plea before the new presiding Judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang came even as the chairman of the Uruan local government area, Surveyor Iniobong Ekpeyong and one Kufre Effiong who were given witnesses, appeared and gave evidence in court.
In his testimony before the court, Ekpeyong, who is the first prosecution witness told the court how he facilitated the arrest of the first accused who incidentally is his cousin.
He disclosed that he learnt about the murder of miss Umoren when his attention was drawn to a social media post that the second accused, and father of Uduak Akpan had been arrested by the police.
Ekpenyong said he received calls from different people asking him to intervene because the second accused person, Frank Akpan, was sick and needed urgent medical attention.
According to the chairman, he called one of his cousins, Kufre Effiong and the DPO of Uruan LGA who converged at his Ewet Housing residence where the first accused person admitted to killing the jobseeker by hitting her with an object.
However, the judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang adjourned the case to Monday, November 15, 2021, with a promise to ensure an accelerated hearing with a view to passing judgement before Easter, 2022.
