Uduak Akpan, the first accused in the ongoing trial for the murder of Iniubong Umoren, a University of Uyo graduate, changed his story on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, and denied knowing the victim.
Akpan first pleaded guilty in the Akwa Ibom State high court for the murder of Ms Umoren, whose body was claimed to have been excavated from his father’s property in the state’s Uruan local government area.
Akpan, who is on trial for murder and rape on two counts, was delivering testimony as he launched his defense after the prosecution completed its case.
He told the Court that he learned of the name “Iniubong Umoren” after being served with the proceedings of the case while in Prison custody.
He said, “My Lord, I do not know Miss Iniubong Umoren. I only came to know that name when I was served with the proceedings of this trial at the Prison. For the second charge of rape, my Lord, I do not know anything about rape. I have never raped anybody. I pleaded guilty because I had fever on that day and my IPO’s influence in the Court.”
The 21-year-old also denied raping anyone since he was born.
On why he pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him during his initial arraignment before the first trial judge, Justice Bennett Ilaumoh, in July, 2021, Uduak Frank Akpan said he had fever on that day.
After hearing the evidence, the trial judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang ordered that Uduak Frank Akpan who is standing trial with his father, the second accused person, Mr. Frank Akpan and his sister, the third accused, be remanded in Uyo Correctional Centre till the next adjourned date.
The case has been adjourned to Monday, April 11, 2022.
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