The father of the lead suspect who allegedly raped and killed Iniubong Umoren on the outskirts of Uyo in April last year, has denied knowledge of Umoren’s murder.
Frank Akpan also said he was not aware that the victim’s body was exhumed in his compound in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, adding that his son, Uduak Frank Akpan, had a mental health issue (schizophrenia) and was an outpatient at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
Akpan, a retired Civil Servant, said this on Tuesday, while giving evidence in his defense before an Uyo High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Bassey Nkanang.
The father’s defence is coming after his son, Uduak Frank Akpan, the first accused person, had denied knowing the late Iniubong Umoren or raped her or any other woman since he was born.
Frank Akpan told the court he was in the house of his secondary school classmate at Uko Eshiet Street on the day that the incident occurred, adding that he only returned home at about 7 pm, to be told by his son that, there was an undisclosed medical emergency for which he advised him to hold on till the next morning.
The accused who is standing trial for accessory after the fact said his son then came back and told him that he was travelling to Calabar before he heard a knock on the gate of his house by policemen from Uruan Divisional Headquarters who later told him that they were in search of a missing lady.
He told the court that he conducted the police around his house and thereafter, was taken to the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Uyo, where he was detained, until his son was arrested and himself freed from police custody.
Concerning the text message he allegedly sent to his daughter’s phone stating “He was using a flying boat, he should not be talking about dying, but escaping” the accused person admitted that he sent the text but that he was not referring it to his son’s escape.
Justice Bassey Nkanang, however, 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).
