Iniubong Umoren: Suspect’s father absolves son, says he’s mentally unstable

Ini Billie, Uyo

Frank Akpan and father of murder suspect, Uduak Akpan, who is standing trial for raping and killing job seeker, late Iniubong Umoren, has absolved his son of blame, saying the young man is mentally unstable.

Frank, a retired civil servant and second accused person in the case stated this while giving evidence in his defense that his son (Uduak Akpan), had schizophrenia and was an outpatient at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).

Speaking before an Uyo High Court presided over by Justice Bassey Nkanang, Akpan denied knowledge of Iniubong Umoren’s murder, noting that he was not aware that her body was exhumed in his compound in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

His claim follows the denial of his son, Uduak and first accused person, that he knew the late Iniubong Umoren and did not rape her or any other woman since he was born.

According to him, on the day of the incident, he was in the house of his secondary school classmate at Uko Eshiet Street, Uyo and only returned home around 7 pm, to be told by his son that there was an undisclosed medical emergency for which he advised him to hold on till the next morning.

He told the hearing that his son (the first accused), returned and told him that he was travelling to Calabar.

He claimed he later heard a knock on the gate of his house by policemen from Uruan Divisional headquarters, telling him that they (the policemen) were in search of a missing lady.

Akpan stated that he conducted the policemen around his house and thereafter he was taken to the police station by Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Uyo, where he was detained until his son was arrested before the police could release him from their custody.

Speaking on the text message he allegedly sent to his daughter’s phone saying, “He was using a flying boat, he should not be talking about dying, but escaping”, Akpan admitted that he sent the text but that he was not referring to his son’s escape.

Justice Bassey Nkanang adjourned the case to May 10 and 11, 2022, for the continuation of defense by the third accused person, Bassey Anwan (Frank Akpan’s daughter).

Frank is standing trial for accessory after the fact of murder, while his son, Uduak was charged for murder and rape, while his daughter, Bassey Anwan was charged for harbouring her brother in her residence in Calabar to help him escape justice.