Akwa Ibom State High Court, sitting in Uyo, the state capital, has sentenced a 21-year-old Uduak Akpan to death by hanging for the murder of Akwa Ibom job seeker, Iniubong Umoren.
The court also found the accused guilty of rape and accordingly sentenced him to life imprisonment for having carnal knowledge of the deceased whom he lured to his father’s house in Uruan local government in April 2021 under the pretext of offering her a job.
Delivering judgement which lasted for almost two hours on Thursday, the trial judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang, discharged and acquitted the convicts father, Frank Akpan and sister, Anwan Bassey (2nd and 3rd defendant) accused of accessory after the fact to murder, respectively.
However, there was confusion in the court as the convict attempted to escape shortly after the sentence was announced by the trial judge.
Our correspondent reports that the convict came out of the dock and immediately grabbed a lawyer by the neck before the security operatives swooped on him, grabbed, and beat him mercylessly, causing a stir in the court.
Speaking after the judgement, the State Attorney general and Commissioner of Justice, Barr. Uko Udom, expressed satisfaction over the ruling of the matter.
He said, “I thank the presiding judge over the way and manner this matter has been conducted. The judge was able to take a day out, tried the case on a day-to-day basis and at the end of the day, we had a judgement that the justice system works. We are very happy about the outcome of the case.
Speaking on the next line of action, the commissioner said, “As you can see, the first defendant has been led into custody and the 2nd and 3rd defendant have been discharged and acquitted. We intend as a state to analyze that judgement and see if there are any grouse and take a decision but the judge has done a good job.”
