Umoren: Nigeria ignoring assassinations, killer of Akwa Ibom jobseeker tells judge

Uduak Akpan, convicted killer of Iniobong Umoren, says nobody is doing anything about the “many assassinations” in Nigeria.

On Thursday, Akpan was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging over the murder of Umoren, a graduate of philosophy, University of Uyo.

Bassey Nkanang, the judge at the state high court, Akwa Ibom, pronounced the death sentence.

While delivering the verdict, Nkanang discharged and acquitted Frank Akpan and Anwan-Bassey Akpan who were the co-accused in the trial.

After Akpan’s sentencing, the judge asked him if he would like to say something to the court.

“My lord, I am not guilty,” Akpan was quoted as saying by Premium Times.

The judge, however, told him that the court had passed the stage of acceptance of plea and asked if he had something to say about the case.

“My lord, in our country, there are many assassinations, but nobody is doing something about it,” Akpan said.

BACKGROUND

In April 2021, Umoren left home to meet Akpan for a job interview in Akwa Ibom after the latter offered her a potential job via Twitter.

Some days later, she was declared missing and was, subsequently, found dead.

The incident caused outrage on social media as many Nigerians called for the arrest of her killer

The Akwa Ibom police command arrested Akpan after Umoren’s body was found in a shallow grave at the backyard of the convict’s house.

In May 2021, during an interview by journalists, Akpan said he killed Umoren over a disagreement during sexual intercourse.

Akpan was arraigned on charges bordering on rape and murder.