END OF THE ROAD FOR UDUAK AKPAN
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
06/08/2022

In case you do not know who Uduak Akpan is; Uduak Akpan is the young man from Uruan in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State who lured one Iniubong Umoren, (a graduate of philosophy from University of Uyo and also a female job seeker) to his father's house where he, after raping her, killed her and buried her in a shallow grave inside the compound. After this act of wickedness, he (Akpan), in a bid to build an alibi for himself ran to his sister's place in Calabar.

The behaviour of Akpan clearly suggests "fear" - he was afraid hence his decision to run away. But if we may inquire, "what exactly was he afraid of?" Apparently, Akpan does not want to go the way of his victim, Umoren. He wants to be alive and free from all forms of botheration - he wants to be free like the birds in the sky meanwhile, he has not only terminated the life and dream of Umoren, he also has terminated the hope of the parents of Umoren. The parents of Umoren had, from her childhood committed their energy and resources in training her so that someday in the future, she'll be able to support them but, due to the wickedness of Akpan, that hope has been shattered - the thought of losing their beloved daughter in such a gruesome manner will continue to weigh down on their spirit.

People like Akpan who destroy other peoples lives but want to, at all cost preserve theirs are the biggest cowards in the face of the earth. If you have the guts to take another person's life then, you must not be afraid to offer yours. For, if you cannot pluck out your own eyes then, you must not contemplate doing so to another person. Our society is replete with such cowards - they commit acts of wickedness and go into hiding, waiting for the dust to settle before they resurface. Any person who does this, is not "man enough" but simply a "woman wrapper" - you'll certainly be picked out like a tick one day.

Based on the natural principle of retributive justice, "you can run but you can't hide", Akpan ran away in order not to be fingered in Umoren's disappearance but, eventually, he didn't run for long before he was arrested and paraded before humanity for perpetrating such unspeakable wickedness. On 4th August, 2022, in a State High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he was sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of Umoren. Upon the pronouncement of the verdict by the presiding Judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang, the heavens collapsed on Akpan and he resorted to saving his life by taking to his heels. Unfortunately for him, the Correctional security personnel within the court premises picked him like a tick and hauled him into the waiting "mini black-maria" van and, off he was taken to the Custodial Center where he is to remain till the day of his execution. Even if he is not executed immediately, he will spend the rest of his miserable life with his heart hanging in the ceiling in anticipation of the day he will meet the hangman. What a dreary way to come to the end of the road!

For those threading this iniquitous path, be rest assured that the same fate await you - it's just a matter of time.