Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo has admitted in evidence and marked as an exhibit, the confessional statement of Uduak Frank Akpan that he murdered Iniubong Umoren.
Iniubong, a Philosophy graduate of the University of Uyo, whom he lured to his house and murdered in Nung Ufok Ikono in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom for a fake job interview on April 30, 2021.
See also
- 2 witnesses corroborate evidence over alleged murder of Iniubong Umoren
- Iniubong Umoren murder: Witnesses implicate the prime suspect
- Iniubong Umoren: Suspected Murderer Pleads Guilty To The Offence
Delivering a ruling Monday on the trial within trial proceedings, Justice Bassey Nkanang, the presiding judge, dismissed the allegation by the accused person that he made the statement to the Police under duress.
Justice Nkanang held that “the claim is clearly a sloppy afterthought and when considered it side by side with the totality of the circumstances.”
He maintained that “the statement of the accused at the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Uyo, sought to be tendered by the Prosecution, was freely and voluntarily made and largely corroborated by the evidence of Prosecution witnesses.
The Court further held that Uduak Akpan had the opportunity of committing the offence, as there has been no contest whatsoever as to his being elsewhere aside from the locus criminis (scene of crime) at the time of the offence.”
Recall that the Police Investigating Officer, Inspector Samuel Udo had on November 16, 2021, while testifying in chief, sought to tender the confessional statement made by Uduak Frank Akpan, but his Counsel, Sampson Adula objected to the admissibility of the statement on grounds of involuntariness.
The situation prompted the Court to conduct a trial within trial to determine the voluntariness or otherwise of the statement with the view to appraising its suitability as an exhibit.
The case has been adjourned to Tuesday, December 14, 2021 for continuation of hearing.
