Uduak Akpan, the suspected killer of 20-year-old undergraduate, Iniubong Umoren, has made a u-turn on his earlier confession as he pleads not guilty to the two-count charge of murder and rape levied against him.
It can be recalled that in May of 2021, Akpan while speaking to newsmen, confessed to luring, killing and burying the deceased in a shallow grave in Akwa Ibom state. He was subsequently arrested and reportedly taken into police custody.
The suspect appeared in court on Thursday, November 4, and changed his plea to “not guilty” after the prosecuting witnesses, Chairman of Uruan Local Government of the state, Surveyor Iniobong Ekpeyong and his cousin, Kufre Effiong, gave evidence in court.
Uduak’s father and second accused person, Frank Akpan, and his sister and third accused, Bassey Anwan Akpan, have also pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of sheltering Uduak despite knowing he murdered Iniubong Umoren.
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to Monday, November 15, 2021, and the presiding judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang, promised to accelerate the court hearing with a view to pass judgement before Easter, 2022.
