Family denies organ harvesting claim in Iniubong Umoren’s murder

The family of the slain University of Uyo graduate, Miss Inioubong Umoren, has refuted claims that their daughter’s organs were harvested following her brutal murder in April 2021.

Recall that Iniubong Umoren, a 26-year-old Philosophy graduate of the University of Uyo, was murdered on April 29, 2021, by Uduak Abasi Frank Akpan under the guise of a job interview.

Akpan, who was later convicted of rape and murder, was sentenced to death by the Akwa Ibom State High Court on August 4, 2022.

Reacting to a viral online video in which one Dr. Sandra Duru, a.k.a Prof Mgbeke, claimed that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) told her that Senator Godswill Akpabio killed and harvested the organs of late Miss Umoren, the deceased family described the allegation as “outrageous” and “deeply hurtful,” before clarifying that all internal organs were confirmed intact.

In an interview with Punch, the eldest sister of the late Iniubong Umoren, Ifiok Ephraim Umoren, said: “How can someone claim that my sister’s organs were harvested when I was right there during the autopsy?” she queried.

“This accusation is not only false but dishonours the memory of my sister and retraumatizes our family.”

“After her death, the police took the body for autopsy at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. I was present. No organ was missing,” she said.

Supporting her statement, Akwa Ibom Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Friday Johnson Itim, described the crime as a solitary act committed by UduakAbasi, who attacked Iniubong after she refused to have unprotected s£x.

“He killed her in anger, buried her in a shallow grave, and fled. His arrest was facilitated by his family and the local government chairman,” Itim said.

Mr Itim added that the allegation of organ harvesting had no basis in court proceedings. “Neither prosecution nor defense ever mentioned Senator Akpabio in connection with the case. The certified autopsy report is publicly accessible and confirms that all internal organs were intact.”