The trial judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang, in his judgement, sentenced Akpan to death by hanging and life imprisonment on the two charges of murder and rape preferred against him on Thursday, August 4.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted his father, Frank Akpan, and sister, Anwan Bassey, (2nd and 3rd accused), who were standing trial for accessory after the fact to murder.
Recall that Akpan lured the deceased, a 26-year-old graduate of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) with a fake job interview on April 29, 2021, killed her and buried her remains in a shallow grave in his father’s compound.
Ms Umoren was confirmed dead on April 30 and was buried on Friday in her hometown of Nung Ita, Ikot Essien, in Akwa Ibom State’s Oruk Anam Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, Akpan, in an interview with newsmen, claimed he killed his victim in self-defense.
Frank, in his not-so-convincing side of the story, said Ini attacked him, he defended himself by hitting her, and the blow led to her death.
“I invited Iniubong Umoren for a job and I asked her whether she can work in a farm as secretary. I told her that I wanted to sleep with her first. She agreed on a condition that I will use condom which I also agreed to.
She became furious when I started removing the condom, and she attacked me. I was bleeding so I needed to defend myself by hitting her which lead to her death”. He said.
