Suspect’s father denies knowledge of Iniubong Umoren’s murder as Court adjourns case
NEWS DIGEST – Mr Frank Akpan, father of the prime suspect, Uduak Akpan alleged to have murdered 26-year-old Iniubong Umoren last year, has denied having any knowledge of the killing.
He also disclosed that he was not aware that the body of the late Iniubong was exhumed in his compound in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
News Digest earlier reported that the case was adjourned till April 12th over the absence of the suspects’ counsel.
Mr. Frank Akpan, a retired civil servant gave evidence of his defense before the Uyo High Court presided over by Justice Bassey Nkanang.
He also disclosed that his son had a mental health issue (schizophrenia) and was an outpatient at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
The evidence of the suspect’s father is coming a few days after his son, Uduak Frank Akpan, the first accused person, denied knowing the late Iniubong Umoren.
Mr Frank Akpan said he was in the house of his secondary school classmate at Uko Eshiet Street, Uyo and only returned home at about 7pm, only to be told by his son (Uduak Frank Akpan) that there was an unknown medical emergency for which he advised him to hold on till the next morning.
He further stated that his son later told him that he was travelling to Calabar.
Afterward, policemen from Uruan Divisional Headquarters stormed his residence to notify him of a lady who was missing.
According to him, he supervised the police around his house before he was taken to the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Uyo, where he was detained, until his son was arrested and himself freed from Police custody.
On the text message, he allegedly sent to his daughter’s phone that read, “He was using a flying boat, he should not be talking about dying, but escaping,” Mr Frank Akpan confessed he sent the text but was not relating it to his son’s escape.
Mr. Frank Akpan is standing trial for accomplice of murder, while his son, Uduak Frank Akpan is accused of murder and rape.
Also, Bassey Anwan, daughter of Mr Frank Akpan, is charged for harbouring her brother (Uduak Frank Akpan) in her residence in Calabar in a bid to assist him to escape justice.
Meanwhile, Justice Bassey Nkanang has adjourned the case to the 10th and 11th of May, 2022, for the continuation of defense by the third accused person (Mr Frank Akpan’s daughter).
