Iniubong Umoren: Uduak Akpan Makes U-Turn, Denies Knowing Victim

The alleged rapist and killer of Iniubong Umoren, Uduak Akpan has denied ever meeting with her.

Iniubong Umoren, a graduate of Philosophy, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was allegedly tricked, raped, and murdered by the first accused, Uduak Akpan, while on a job hunt in the Uruan local government area of the state on April 2021.

Akpan made the denial on Wednesday at the state high court, Uyo while opening his defense in his ongoing trial for murder and rape.

“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,” Akpan said during cross-examination by the prosecution.

For the second charge of rape he said “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.”

Trial judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang, in the proceedings, advised Akpan’s lawyer to bring his client back to “the case that brought him to court”.

The prosecution counsel, however, refused to cross-examine him further, while Akpan’s lawyer, Samson Adula, said he had one more witness to present.

The case was adjourned till April 11, 2022.