Court adjourns hearing for murdered A’Ibom job seeker

Emmanuel Ekpo, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State High Court 6, sitting in Uyo has adjourned for accelerated hearing the alleged murder of Akwa Ibom State job seeker, Iniubong Umoren by involving one Uduak Akpan.
The presiding Judge Justice Bennett Ilamoh, on Wednesday adjourned the case to 1st , 2nd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 15th and 16th November and 1st, 2nd, 13th, 14th and 15th December, respectively.
Akpan, the first accused person is standing trial for alleged murder of Umoren, the 26 years old graduate of Philosophy of the University of Uyo, who he allegedly lured to his house, 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 of accessory after the facts.
The first accused had, in his first arraignment in court pleaded guilty to murder charge while returning a no guilty plead to the second charge bordering on rape.
Ilamoh adjourned the case for accelerated hearing and after one of the witnesses, Iniuobong Umoren’s sister testified in court.
The trail judge also struck out the application for bail filed by the counsel to second accused, Barrister Emms Ekongson because the application came by sermon rather than motion.
The state Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Christopher Udo, who stood in for the Commissioner of Justice, Uko Udom, declined comments.
The Coordinator of Legal Aid Counsel, Sampson Adula, who is standing in for the first accused, Uduak Akpan, declared that he is in the case for the sake of justice, adding that the court will move with speed as required.
He said: “The case of the accused persons was opened today as you are aware.
“The first witness has testified in parts, we have not concluded our examination, the matter has been adjourned to later dates after the vacation we will all continue in summary that is what transpired.”
Asked whether he was a satisfied with the proceedings, he said: “We are all here for the sake of justice, we’ve started, I’m sure we are going to move with the speed that is required.”
Counsel to the 2nd accused, Frank Akpan, Mr Emms Ekongson, expressed appreciation to journalists for their interest in the case and urged them to realise that the case is sub-judicial and pending under a judge.
“I want to thank the press for their interest in this case and for publicizing it: secondly, the press should know that the case is subjudiced.
“It is pending under a judge and for that reason we all are duty bound not to make comments in respect to what is going on in the court.”