The State, today, closed its case in the prosecution of three accused persons, in connection with the murder of Ini-Ubong Umoren, a graduate of the University of Uyo, who was killed, last year in Uruan, while on a job hunt.
The accused are: 21-year-old Uduak Frank Akpan, his father, Mr. Frank Akpan, a retired Deputy Director in the Federal Civil Service and his sister, 25-year-old Bassey Anwan Akpan, a graduate of English and Literary Studies.
At the closure of its case this morning, the State, led by the Solicitor-General of Akwa Ibom State, Barr. Christopher Udo, called the 10th Prosecution witness, Mr. Ama Okeke, an Investigating Officer with the Department of State Services, DSS, for the conclusion of his evidence-in-chief.
Mr. Okeke, a call data analyst, said the DSS investigated the matter, following the request by the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State for the DSS to carry out call data analysis on the phone of the late Iniubong Umoren and that of the accused persons.
He told the Court that, upon exploiting the phone of Mr. Frank Akpan, he saw a text message, which Mr. Akpan had sent to his daughter, saying he was using a speed boat and that it was better to escape than dying.
The DSS operative said the implication of the text message is that, the father of Uduak Frank Akpan, knew that his son was escaping from being arrested after the murder of Iniubong Umoren, and that, he was going to use a speed boat to Calabar.
The prosecution witness said investigation revealed that Uduak Frank Akpan eventually went to Calabar with the phone of late Iniubong Umoren, which was tracked and recovered in Calabar.
The case has been adjourned to 16th of March, 2022, for defense.
© Harrison Essien
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