A former presidential spokesman Reno Omokri has criticised prison officials who brutalised Uduak Akpan after he was sentenced to death on Thursday for the murder of Iniubong Umoren.
Mr Akpan attempted to escape from the courtroom when the court passed judgement. He was however overpowered by prison officials.
A viral video of the incident shows Akpan in handcuffs being beaten after he was seized while trying to run.
In a tweet, Mr Omokri said there was no need to assault the convict as he could do less damage in handcuffs.
He said, “Uduak-Abasi Akpan resists being taken to prison after he was sentenced to death over Iniubong Umoren’s murder.
“But did they have to beat him? He is in handcuffs. How far can he go? What damage can he do?”
In a two-hour judgement, Justice Bassey Nkanang of Akwa Ibom State High Court found Akpan guilty of rape and murder.
The court however discharged and acquitted his father, Frank Akpan, and his sister, Anwan Bassey.
Umoren, a graduate of philosophy, University of Uyo, was killed in April 2021. She was job hunting while awaiting mobilisation for the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
When Akpan first appeared in court on July 26, 2021, he pleaded guilty to murder, but not guilty to rape.
Akpan later changed his plea, saying he did not rape nor kill Umoren.
