The Akwa Ibom State High Court has sentenced Uduak Akpan to death by hanging for the murder of Iniubong Umoren.

Justice Bassey Nkanang read the verdict, the convicted rapist attempted to flee the courtroom but was apprehended by security personnel.

The Judge maintained that the prosecution’s case of rape and murder against Mr Akpan was beyond doubt.

Umoren was lured out of her home in Uyo with a job interview that never existed by Uduak Akpan, the victim went missing on 29 April 2021.

Umoren, a Philosophy graduate from the University of Uyo, was killed in April 2021 while waiting to be mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

On July 26, 2021, the convict appeared in court for the first time and pleaded guilty to murder but not guilty to rape.

Despite admitting to murdering the victim, the court entered a not-guilty plea for Ms Umoren’s murder.

Frank Akpan, Uduak’s father, and Anwan Bassey, his sister (2nd and 3rd accused), were both released and acquitted.