November 02, (THEWILL) – Justice Bassey Nkanang of Akwa Ibom State High Court, sitting in Uyo, the state capital, on Tuesday issued a warrant compelling the Correctional Service to produce one Anwan Bassey Akpan, the third accused in Iniubong Umoren’s murder case, in court on November 4, 2021.
The order followed her absence in court at the resumed hearing after she was arrested and detained for allegedly obstructing the arrest of her brother, Uduak Akpan, the first accused in the case.
Uduak Akpan is standing trial along with his father, Frank Akpan, listed as second accused, for the murder of one Miss Inuiobong Umoren, a graduate of Philosophy, University of Uyo, whom he allegedly lured, raped and killed under the pretext of offering her a job.
The state solicitor-general, Christopher. J. Udoh, had during the proceedings prayed the court to issue the production warrant since the third accused person was not in court.
He also informed the court that the initial charge filed in June has been substituted with an amended one filed on October 29, 2021, to join the third accused, who was arrested recently, to the suit.
The two counsels to the defendants in the matter, Emms Ekongson and Samson Adula did not raise any objection to the prayers by the prosecution counsels.
Justice Nkanang, who is replacing Justice Bennett Illaumo, also ordered that a witness summon be served to the chairman of the Uruan local government council, Iniobong Ekpenyong, at his Ewet Housing residence in Uyo and one Kufre Michael Effiong of No 16 Esuene Street, Uyo.
The new judge, who promised to follow the trial dates set by his predecessor, adjourned the case to November, 4, 2021 for plea taking and for pre-trial.
Speaking with newsmen in the Court premises, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Uwemedimo Nwoko (SAN), expressed happiness over the seriousness that the state government has attached to the case.
Nwoko also expressed happiness that the sister of the first accused person (Uduak Abasi Akpa) who had created some level of complications in the process of apprehending the culprit has also been arrested and charged.
Nwoko said: “This case has a great deal of public interest, and I am representing the interest of Ati Annang Socio-cultural organization, from the ethic extraction where the deceased came from. We are going to follow up on the proceedings up to the end of the matter.
“I am very happy today that His Lordship, the new trial Judge who is just resuming in this court has done something very unique. One, he has decided to sustain all the dates that his predecessor adjourned the case before, which is about 10-days.
“Two, we now have the principal accused person, with the father, and the sister charged together for complicity in the death of our dear sister Iniubong Umoren. Right now the Prosecution team is led by one of the best, the Solicitor General of the state.
“And that shows the level of seriousness that the government is attaching to this matter. And we as a socio-cultural organization also representing the family of the deceased, we are interested in getting to the bottom of the case.
“Good enough there is an amendment to the charge. The initial charge carried two names, which was the main accused person and the father. Now the sister has been added.”
About the Author
