ETIM EFFIONG
The Akwa Ibom State Government on Tuesday, named Akpan Bassey Awan, also known as Flourish, as one of the accomplices to the suspected murderer of a job seeker, Ini Umoren.
Awan who is said to be a sister to the prime suspect, Uduak Akpan, is accused of being responsible for some complications that trailed the arrest of the prime suspect, among other charges.
The naming of the third accused on the matter led to the withdrawal of the earlier information filed by the prosecuting counsel, for amendment.
The amended charge now has three indicted suspects including the prime suspect, Uduak Akpan, the father of the prime suspect, Frank Akpan and the sister to the prime suspect, Akpan Bassey Awan.
Following the transfer of the former trial judge, a new trial judge, Justice Bassey Bassey Nkanang has taken over Ini Umoren’s case.
The transfer precipitate a trial DiNovo, which implies fresh arraignment where all three suspects are expected to plead guilty or not guilty before Justice Nkanang.
Justice Nkanang has fixed Thursday, November 4 for a fresh plea. An in-house trial is also expected to commence on the same day.
While speaking to journalists, the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko (SAN) who was appointed by the socio-cultural group, Ati Annang to hold a watching brief for both the claimants and the ethnic group of the deceased, said that an accelerated trial was expected for the Ini Umoren case, hinting also that the case might be rounded off before Christmas, especially since there are not too many witnesses outlined to be examined by the court.
The learned silk lauded the trial judge for sustaining the earlier dates of appearance before the former trial judge and commended the willingness to commence in-house trial immediately after the expected fresh arraignment on Thursday.
The trial judge, however, issued a production warrant for the Chairman of Uruan Local Government area, Mr. Surveyor Iniobong Ekpeyong, to appear in court as a witness to the murder case of Iniubong Umoren.
Other witnesses also expected to be examined by the court include Kufre Michael Effiong of No. 16 Esuene Street, Uyo as well as the sister of the decease, Ifiok.
The Solicitor General of Akwa Ibom State, Christopher Udoh, who is next in rank to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Akwa Ibom State led the prosecution council on Tuesday.
Emms Ekongson made a return appearance for the second accused, Frank Akpan on Tuesday while Sampson Adula, Esq appeared for the second accuse, Uduak Akpan.
Both the prime suspect, Uduak Akpan, and the second accused, Frank Akpan, appeared in court under the custody of warders and were remanded again following a directive by the trial judge.
The court directed that the three persons be made to appear in court on Thursday.