Following the expose by investigative journalist, David Hundeyin for NewsWireNGR in which he mentioned that the Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN), a non-profit health care organization, served as a meeting point between one Mr. Kufre Effiong and the prime suspect in the murder of Hiny Umoren, Uduak Akpan, CCCRN has come out to denounce the report and also demand an apology – a public apology – from Mr. David Hundeyin.
While debunking the report, they went on to state that the said Mr. Kufre Effiong was not in their office when he called Mr. Akpan as the investigative report suggested. It further said that they are ready to back up their claims as the organization has a register that takes note of every visitor that comes into the complex. They disclosed their willingness to release the visitors’ log to clear their name.
Their press statement read in parts:
“Our attention has been drawn to an Investigative News Report published today, the 11th of May, 2021, by NewsWireNGR, written particularly by one David Hundeyin…titled: ‘Murder in Uyo: Who Killed Hiny Umoren?’
“In doing the investigation, the reporter claimed that Mr. Frank made several long calls to one Kufre Effiong, but the reporter could not state what Mr. Frank and Mr. Effiong were discussing. In trying to explain who Mr. Effiong is, the reporter said. ‘’Now back to the address where both men met, Plot 58, G Unit, Ewet Housing Estate is home to the Uyo Branch of a medical NGO called the Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN).”
“We wish to state very clearly that Mr Effiong is not a staff of CCCRN, neither was he ever in our office premises. We have CCTV recordings and an up to date visitors’ register in our Uyo office to buttress this. The reporter had speculated earlier in the report that ‘Frank is probably outside the building talking to his older, wiser man on the phone…
“…Through these careless statements, Mr Hundeyi has caused us immeasurable pain and embarrassment. Irrespective of what drives him, he has done great a disservice to all our hardworking team members and partners in Nigeria and beyond. We…demand a retraction and apology by NewsWireNGR and Mr. David Hundeyin immediately.”
In the latest development, the father of the murder suspect, Uduak Akpan has come out to say that if his son is for=und guilty of mrder and is sentenced to death, he is at peace with his son facing the full weight of the law. Frank Akpan has made public his disappointment with the actions of his son and says if Uduak has to face the hangmans’ noose for his crime, then so be it. He said:
“I never believed such a thing can happen to me because I brought these children up in a righteous way. The Police stormed my house in search of Uduak but didn’t see him. I was invited to come and answer some questions at the police station and when I got to the station, I was asked to call him.
“When he came back to Akwa Ibom, I was allowed to interact with him and that was when he told me that he committed an offense. I was disappointed, I scolded him and asked why he committed such a crime knowing fully well he has two sisters that are equally students and are both in school.
“I felt bad because I know they are women too and I wouldn’t want such fate to befall them too…I’m not happy about what my child has done. I don’t even believe this can happen to me after all the years of toiling to send them to school and ensure they get the best. It depends on the system and if they say the penalty for his crime is death, then he should face the full wrath of the law.”
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