The family of Iniubong Umoren, the 26-year-old University of Uyo graduate brutally murdered in 2021, has strongly refuted recent allegations that her organs were harvested, describing the claims as “painful lies” that dishonor her memory.
At an emotional press conference in Uyo on Saturday, the victim’s sister Ifiok Umoren provided a detailed timeline of events, from the day her sister left for what turned out to be a fatal fake job interview to witnessing the autopsy that confirmed all organs were intact before burial.
“This isn’t just about my sister’s case anymore – it’s about how easily people spread lies for political gain,” Ifiok stated, her voice breaking. “We went through every legal process, saw the autopsy with our own eyes, and now four years later, people are rewriting history for their own purposes.”
The controversy stems from UK-based activist Sandra Duru’s viral claims linking Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the case – allegations that have been denied by both Akpabio and suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who Duru accused of offering her money to fabricate the story.
Prosecutor Friday Itim, who secured the death sentence against killer Uduak-Abasi Akpan in 2022, presented court records showing the murderer acted alone. “The killer confessed to luring her, attacking her when she refused his sexual demands, and burying her himself,” Itim emphasized. “At no point did organ harvesting or political figures come up in two years of legal proceedings.”
Legal experts at the briefing warned against the growing trend of sensationalizing true crime cases for political narratives. “When activists or politicians try to rewrite established court verdicts without evidence, they undermine both justice and the victims’ memory,” said human rights lawyer Eme Effiong.
The family has called for an end to what they term “social media trials” of their daughter’s case, while activists are pushing for stricter laws against spreading unverified claims about ongoing or concluded legal matters. As Akwa Ibom State marks four years since the shocking crime that exposed the dangers facing job-seeking youths, the Umoren family’s plea resonates beyond their personal tragedy – a call for truth and respect in Nigeria’s increasingly polarized political climate.
