Court Adjourns for Accelerated Hearing on Killer of A’Ibom Job Seeker

An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, the state capital,
has adjourned to November and December 2021 for accelerated hearing
on a murder case involving one Uduak Akpan, accused of killing a
female job seeker in the state, Iniuobong Umoren.

The Presiding Judge of the State High Court 6, Justice Bennett
Ilamoh, announced the adjournment of the case for accelerated
hearing yesterday after one of the witnesses, Iniuobong Umoren’s
sister testified in court.

The first accused person, Uduak Akpan, is standing trial for the
alleged murder of Umoren, a 26-years old graduate of Philosophy of
the University of Uyo, whom he allegedly lured, raped and murdered
with the pretext of offering her a job.

Akpan’s father, Frank Akpan who is the second accused is being
prosecuted on one count charge of accessory after the facts.

The first accused had, in his first arraignment, pleaded guilty
to the murder charge while returning a no guilty plead to the
second charge bordering on rape.

The trail Judge also struck out the application for bail filed
by the counsel to second accused, Barrister Emms Ekongson, because
the application came by sermon rather than motion.

The state Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, ministry of
Justice, Barrister Christopher Udo, who represented the state
commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, declined comments on the
case.

State coordinator of the legal Aid Counsel, Sampson Adula, who
stood in for the first accused, Uduak Akpan, said he was in the
case for the sake of justice and fair hearing expressing optimism
that the court would move with speed as required.

“The case of the accused persons was opened today (Wednesday) as
you are aware. The first witness has testified in parts, we have
not concluded our examination. The matter has been adjourned to
later dates. After the vacation, we will all continue in summary
that is what transpired.

On whether he was satisfied with the proceedings, he said, “We
are all here for the sake of justice; we’ve started. I’m sure we
are going to move with the speed that is required.”

Counsel to Frank Akpan, who is the second accused, Emms
Ekongson, expressed appreciation to journalists for their interest
in the case but urged them to realise that the case was subjudice
and pending under a judge.

“I want to thank the press for their interest in this case and
for publicizing it. Secondly, the press should know that the case
is subjudice. It is pending under a judge and for that reason,we
all are duty bound not to make comments in respect to what is going
on in the court,” he said.

An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, the state capital,
has adjourned to November and December 2021 for accelerated hearing
on a murder case involving one Uduak Akpan, accused of killing a
female job seeker in the state, Iniuobong Umoren.

The Presiding Judge of the State High Court 6, Justice Bennett
Ilamoh, announced the adjournment of the case for accelerated
hearing yesterday after one of the witnesses, Iniuobong Umoren’s
sister testified in court.

The first accused person, Uduak Akpan, is standing trial for the
alleged murder of Umoren, a 26-years old graduate of Philosophy of
the University of Uyo, whom he allegedly lured, raped and murdered
with the pretext of offering her a job.

Akpan’s father, Frank Akpan who is the second accused is being
prosecuted on one count charge of accessory after the facts.

The first accused had, in his first arraignment, pleaded guilty
to the murder charge while returning a no guilty plead to the
second charge bordering on rape.

The trail Judge also struck out the application for bail filed
by the counsel to second accused, Barrister Emms Ekongson, because
the application came by sermon rather than motion.

The state Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, ministry of
Justice, Barrister Christopher Udo, who represented the state
commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, declined comments on the
case.

State coordinator of the legal Aid Counsel, Sampson Adula, who
stood in for the first accused, Uduak Akpan, said he was in the
case for the sake of justice and fair hearing expressing optimism
that the court would move with speed as required.

“The case of the accused persons was opened today (Wednesday) as
you are aware. The first witness has testified in parts, we have
not concluded our examination. The matter has been adjourned to
later dates. After the vacation, we will all continue in summary
that is what transpired.

On whether he was satisfied with the proceedings, he said, “We
are all here for the sake of justice; we’ve started. I’m sure we
are going to move with the speed that is required.”

Counsel to Frank Akpan, who is the second accused, Emms
Ekongson, expressed appreciation to journalists for their interest
in the case but urged them to realise that the case was subjudice
and pending under a judge.

“I want to thank the press for their interest in this case and
for publicizing it. Secondly, the press should know that the case
is subjudice. It is pending under a judge and for that reason,we
all are duty bound not to make comments in respect to what is going
on in the court,” he said.