The Akwa Ibom State high court in Uyo has sentenced Uduak Frank Akpan, the first accused in the murder of Iniubong Umoren to die by hanging.
In the over two hours judgement by the presiding Judge, Bassey Nkanang, the convict was found guilty of rape and murder and sentenced to be hang on the neck till he dies.
Recall that Uduak-Abasi Akpan had lured Iniubong Umoren out of her home with a fake job interview, raped and killed her in April, 2021, in the outskirts of Uyo.
He later buried her remains in a shallow grave in his family house where the crime took place.
Uduak-Abasi Akpan had in his confessional statement said: “I first used condom to have sex with Iniubong Umoren and later removed the condom because I did not enjoy the sex. She became infuriated and I reached out to a stabilizer and a box iron and used it to hut her abdominal part and started to bled. I hurt her again and she screamed. I used her jean trousers and strangled her and she became lifeless.”
Delivering judgment on Thursday, the court held that: “The use of dangerous weapons such as a stabilizer and a box iron to attack delicate parts of the human body like the head is a clear pointer that deeth was probable the consequences of the action.”
The Court found Uduak-Abasi Frank Akpan guilty of rape and murder of Iniubong Umoren. However, the court discharged and acquitted his father, Frank Akpan and sister, Bassey Anwan.
