Iniuobong Umoren: Court fixes accelerated hearing for December

Akwa Ibom State High Court 6, sitting in Uyo, the state capital, on Wednesday adjourned for an accelerated hearing of the case of murder involving one Uduak Akpan.

The presiding Judge Justice Bennett Ilamoh adjourned the case to 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 15th and 16th November and 1st, 2nd, 13th, 14th and 15th December respectively.

Uduak Akpan the first accused person is standing trial over the alleged murder of Iniuobong Umoren, the  26-years old graduate of Philosophy of the University of Uyo, who he allegedly lured, raped and murdered in 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 in court pleaded guilty to the murder charge, while pleading not guilty to the second charge bordering on rapeJustice Ilamoh adjourned the case for accelerated hearing after one of the witnesses, Iniuobong Umoren’s sister testified in court. 

The trial judge also struck out the application for bail filed by Emms Ekongson the counsel for the second accused because the application came by “sermon rather than motion.

The state Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Christopher Udo, who represented the state commissioner of Justice, Uko Udom, however, declined comment.

However, the State coordinator of the Legal Aid Counsel Barrister Sampson Adula, who is standing in for the first accused, Uduak Akpan, said he was in the case for the sake of justice.

“The first witness has testified in parts, we have not concluded our cross-examination. The matter has been adjourned to later dates after the vacation."