September 30, (THEWILL) – It was a harvest of tears for close family, friends and sympathisers as the mortal remains of Kubiat Isaac Akpan, a University of Uyo graduate, was laid to rest yesterday in his hometown, Mbiopkoro Nsit, Akwa Ibom state.
The young man was allegedly murdered by a police officer.
THEWILL recalls that the deceased was arrested by police operatives at Eni’s supermarket along Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo, for alleged involvement in cultism. He was reported dead after 24 hours in police custody, causing the family lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, to suspect the police of foul play and demand an autopsy.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent Odiko Macdon, in a statement had denied the complicity of his colleagues in the death of Kubiat, who was still processing his clearance at UNIUYO for onward movement to the NYSC camp before he died.
“Kubiat Isaac Akpan, had been in the wanted list of Police over his involvement in cultism. When he was arrested at Eni’s store by the Police, he started complaining of not feeling well but unfortunately he died”, part of the statement reads.
However, Effiong claimed the PPRO’s statement was deliberately cooked up to paint his colleagues in a good light, disclosing that the autopsy carried out on the deceased’s remains showed signs of brutality and torture.
In a statement released on behalf of the family at the funeral ceremony, Effiong called for the prosecution of the squad leader, Joweigha Michael, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and other operatives assigned to the arrest of the deceased.
“Having spent a good number of years to study Architecture, we should be celebrating the graduation of Kubiat, and not to mourn his death. It is to the eternal shame of the Police that he was tortured to death by the very people who are paid to protect him,” he lamented.
