Akwa Ibom State High Court 6, sitting in Uyo, the state capital, has on Wednesday, August 18 adjourned for accelerated hearing the case of murder involving one Uduak Akpan.
Uduak Akpan, the first accused person is standing trial over alleged murder of one Iniuobong Umoren, a 26-years old graduate of Philosophy of University of Uyo, who he allegedly lured, raped and murdered in April in the pretext of offering her a job.
Umoren was later buried at her hometown, Nung Ita, Ikot Essien in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The state police command thereafter apprehended Akpan for “kidnapping, countlessly raping, and killing the victim.”
Read Also: Photos, Video From Funeral Of Iniubong Umoren, Job Seeker Who Was Raped, Killed In Akwa Ibom
In July, the 20-year-old had admitted to killing the job seeker but pleaded not guilty to the rape charge against him when he was arraigned.
During his trial on Wednesday, Bennett Ilamoh, the presiding judge, held that the accelerated hearing of the case will take place on November 1, 2, 4, 10, 11, 15 and 16.
Read Also: Iniubong Umoren: Suspect Pleads Guilty To Murder Of Akwa Ibom Job Seeker
Ilamoh added that the trial will also continue from December 1, 2, 13, 14 and 15th respectively.
The adjournment of the trial had come after Umoren’s sister, who is one of the witnesses in the case, testified before the court.
It also comes as the trial judge quashed a bail application filed by Frank Akpan, Uduak’s father, who is also being prosecuted on one count charge of accessory after the facts.
In its ruling, the court had dismissed Frank’s bail application filed through Barrister Emms Ekongson, his counsel, saying the application came by sermon rather than motion.
Meanwhile, the state Coordinator of the Legal Aid Counsel, Barrister Sampson Adula, who is standing in for the first accused, Uduak Akpan, said he is in the case for the sake of justice, adding that the court will move with speed as required.
He stated;
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 satisfied with the proceedings, Adula stressed;
We are all here for the sake of justice. We’ve started and I’m sure we are going to move with the speed that is required.
Counsel to the second accused, Frank Akpan, Barrister Emms Ekongson, expressed appreciation to journalists for their interest in the case and charged them to realise that the case is sub judice and pending under a judge
He stated;
I want to thank the press for their interest in this case and for publicising it. Secondly, the press should know that the case is sub judice. 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.
