Real Reason Iniubong Umoren’s Killer Has Not Been Executed Despite Death Sentence; Akwa Ibom AG Opens Up On Delay
The Akwa Ibom State Government has explained that Uduak Akpan, who was sentenced to death for the murder of job seeker Iniubong Umoren, cannot be executed until he has exhausted all legally required appeal processes.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, made this known on Thursday during an inter-ministerial briefing at Government House, Uyo.
Udom said the law requires a person convicted and sentenced to death by a High Court to first challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal and, where necessary, proceed to the Supreme Court before the sentence can be implemented.
He stressed that the government could not bypass these constitutional procedures, adding that the state makes provisions for legal representation for convicted persons who lack the financial capacity to pursue their appeals.
Beyond the legal requirements, the Attorney General identified institutional and administrative challenges that have contributed to the continued presence of inmates on death row in Nigeria.
He listed the shortage of qualified executioners, the difficulty of maintaining execution facilities and the reluctance of some state governors to approve death warrants as major obstacles.
Udom noted that some governors are unwilling to sign execution warrants because of religious considerations, even when convicted inmates have exhausted all available appeals.
He further explained that existing Nigerian laws prescribe hanging as the recognised method of execution, meaning that introducing alternative methods would require legislative amendments.
The Attorney General said the state government was considering possible amendments to address the challenges and improve the implementation of death sentences.
His explanation comes amid persistent public questions over why Uduak Akpan remains in prison years after his conviction for the gruesome murder of Iniubong Umoren in 2020.
