Iniobong Umoren: Why We Are Delaying Prosecution Of Suspects — Police

THE police in Akwa Ibom State say they have been waiting for
judicial workers to call off strike and advice from the Department
of Public Prosecution (DPP) to prosecute suspects involved in the
murder of Iniobong Umoren.

Earlier in May, the lifeless body of Umoren, a young graduate of
the University of Uyo, was discovered after she left home for a job
interview at Airport Road in Uyo upon invitation by a man via
Twitter.

According to the police, she was kidnapped, raped and murdered
by an imposter who was later identified as Frank Uduak Akpan.

After Akpan’s arrest, the police said he confessed to have lured
the victim to his house, sexually assaulted her, burrying her in a
shallow grave in his father’s compound after killing her.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command also said the suspect was a
serial rapist and would be charged to court after
investigations.

However, after more than one month, Akpan and other suspects
involved in the murder are yet to be prosecuted or arraigned in
court.

When contacted by The ICIR over the case, the spokesperson for
Akwa Ibom Police Command Okido Macdon said the case file had been
sent to the DPP.

Macdon noted that Akpan, his father and one Ememobong Emmanuel
Edem had been remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS)
pending arraignment.

Judicial workers in Nigeria had, on April 6, embarked on an
indefinite nationwide strike over financial autonomy.

However, the strike was suspended in a communique signed by the
Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) Deputy President Emmanuel
Abioye and the General Secretary Isaiah Adetola, on June 9.

The courts, which had not been sitting since the strike
commenced, were expected to resume on June 14 but the day was
declared a public holiday as a result of the June 12 Democracy Day
celebration.

There were reports that some courts resumed on Tuesday but full
activities are yet to commence.

THE police in Akwa Ibom State say they have been waiting for
judicial workers to call off strike and advice from the Department
of Public Prosecution (DPP) to prosecute suspects involved in the
murder of Iniobong Umoren.

Earlier in May, the lifeless body of Umoren, a young graduate of
the University of Uyo, was discovered after she left home for a job
interview at Airport Road in Uyo upon invitation by a man via
Twitter.

According to the police, she was kidnapped, raped and murdered
by an imposter who was later identified as Frank Uduak Akpan.

After Akpan’s arrest, the police said he confessed to have lured
the victim to his house, sexually assaulted her, burrying her in a
shallow grave in his father’s compound after killing her.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command also said the suspect was a
serial rapist and would be charged to court after
investigations.

However, after more than one month, Akpan and other suspects
involved in the murder are yet to be prosecuted or arraigned in
court.

When contacted by The ICIR over the case, the spokesperson for
Akwa Ibom Police Command Okido Macdon said the case file had been
sent to the DPP.

Macdon noted that Akpan, his father and one Ememobong Emmanuel
Edem had been remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS)
pending arraignment.

Judicial workers in Nigeria had, on April 6, embarked on an
indefinite nationwide strike over financial autonomy.

However, the strike was suspended in a communique signed by the
Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) Deputy President Emmanuel
Abioye and the General Secretary Isaiah Adetola, on June 9.

The courts, which had not been sitting since the strike
commenced, were expected to resume on June 14 but the day was
declared a public holiday as a result of the June 12 Democracy Day
celebration.

There were reports that some courts resumed on Tuesday but full
activities are yet to commence.