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Iniubong Umoren: Jobseeker’s friend, elder sister testify in court

Published

3 years ago

November 17, 2021

Uduak Umoh, the best friend to murdered Akwa Ibom job seeker, Iniubong Umoren, and the deceased elder sister, Ifiok Umoren, have given their testimonies at the ongoing trial of Uduak Akpan, the suspected killer.

Akpan, a 20-year old undergraduate, is standing trial alongside his father, Frank Akpan, and elder sister, Anwan Bassey Akpan, over the gruesome murder of Iniubong whom he was said to have lured, raped, and killed under the guise of offering her a job.

Testifying before Justice Bassey Nkanang at the state High Court, Umoh told the court that her late friend had on April 29, 2021, told her that she was going for a job interview in Uruan Local Government Area, but that she did not have transport fare.

She said she transferred the sum of N2,000 as fare to the supposed venue of the interview, adding that she advised her friend to send the name as well as the phone number of the person she was going to meet and put on the Google map on her phone which she did.

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The witness informed the court that she was communicating with her friend even at the time she arrived at the venue but was shocked when her friend suddenly sent a voice note to her screaming and the call ended abruptly.

She further informed the court that at that point she became agitated and began to call her friend’s line but it was not answered noting that she quickly made a post on social media tagging the face of Uduak Akpan, the accused, whose picture she got from Facebook.

Umoh disclosed that as soon as she made the post, that one Miriam Akpan made a comment that she was a victim of a scam job interview offered by the accused, Uduak Akpan. She said Miriam accused Akpan of raping her, taking her nude pictures, and seizing her android phone with the help of his sister who is the third accused in the case.

After giving her evidence, she was crossed examined and thereafter, the fourth prosecution witness and elder sister of the deceased, Ifiok Umoren in her own evidence, corroborated the testimony of the third prosecution witness.

Ifiok told the court that when she got the information, she made an official report to Uruan Divisional Police headquarters but was told to come back after 48 hours if they did not return home.

She said at the expiration of the 48 hours, on 1st May 2021, she went to the Anti Kidnapping Unit of Akwa Ibom State Police Command’s Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, she was told that Uduak Frank Akpan has confessed that he killed Iniubong Umoren and buried her in a shallow grave in his residence, Uruan.

The trial judge, before adjourning the matter, charged lawyers to advocate for the review of 48 hours rule on the police investigation of missing persons, as such could save lives of missing people who are in danger.

The court also admitted in evidence, the photograph of the exhumed body of Iniubong Umoren as an exhibit, and the case was adjourned till Thursday (tomorrow) to take the evidence of the pathologist.

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INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Published

9 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday got a memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It is a notification to her of the receipt of petition from voters in her Constituency demanding her recall.

The same notification was sent by the electoral agency to the leadership of the Senate.

The Commission also unfolded plans to scrutinise the signatures of the petitioners to ascertain their authenticity.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed in a statement that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of the petitioners, which were initially not attached, had been submitted to the commission.

On Tuesday, the Commission had picked holes in the petition, pointing out that it failed to meet the standard because the addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners’ representatives were not provided as required by law.

Exuding confidence after INEC’s confirmation that that aspect of recall requirements had been met, the petitioners said the recall request was meant to correct what they described as the error of wrong choice.

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Olumekun said: “Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025.

“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.

“The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.

“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency.

“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, is serving a six-month suspension for misconduct and abuse of the Senate rules after her seat was changed.

She went ahead to make allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

On Wednesday, Zubairu Yakubu, who wrote the petition, accompanied by former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions sitting to defend the allegations.

However, the Committee threw out her petition, saying that the matter was already a subject of litigation.

During the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) clashed, exchanging hot words.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been junketing between the United States and Europe, granting interview against Senate president.

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

metro

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

Published

10 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays in celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the government.

He urged Muslims across the country to use the period for prayers, reflection, and acts of kindness, emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and national development.

In a statement on Wednesday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, highlighting the significance of the holy month in fostering self-discipline, compassion, and spiritual renewal.

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Tunji-Ojo called on all Muslims to continue embodying the virtues of love, generosity, and peace, emphasising the need for national unity and religious harmony.

He also urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.

“As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us reflect on the lessons of Ramadan, embrace one another with love and forgiveness, and work together to build a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” the minister stated.

He further encouraged citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while extending acts of kindness to the less privileged, in line with the values of Ramadan and Eid.

On behalf of the Federal Government, Tunji-Ojo wished all Muslim faithful a joyous Eid Mubarak and prayed that the blessings of the season bring happiness and fulfilment to everyone.