Akwa Ibom jobseeker’s killer pleads guilty, father and son remanded

Uduakabasi Akpan

Uduakabasi Akpan, the suspected killer of the Akwa Ibom jobseeker, Iniobong Umoren, has pleaded guilty to the charge of murder.

Uduakabasi was arraigned on Monday along with his father, Frank Akpan, before the Akwa Ibom State High Court 6, on three counts of murder, rape, and accessory after the facts. These grievous offenses are punishable under sections 326(1) and 367 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 2 Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria 2000.

When the charges were read during the court proceedings, Uduakabasi pleaded guilty to the murder charge but pleaded not guilty to the second charge of rape while his father pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Summarily, the judge, Justice Bennett Illaumo, remanded the son and father and adjourned the matter till August 18, 2021, for hearing. Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Uko Udom (SAN), assured the public that justice would be done.

He said “Count Three is talking about accessory after the facts. If someone commits an offense and another person assists that person in an attempt to evade justice, you are charged with accessory after the facts,” he said.

The victim, Iniobong Umoren, a graduate of Philosophy from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was allegedly lured, abducted, raped, and murdered on April 29, 2021, by Uduakabasi, who acted on the pretext of giving her a job.