Mr Akpan used to be a contractor and a well-known builder around the town.
He’s highly recommendable and guaranteed to build to taste and usually exceed the expectations of his clients. He’s a perfect gentleman and someone who loves to play with kids.
My family lives in the same Compound Mr Akpan lives and I remember fondly how he used to gather every kid in the compound together every Saturday morning to share goodies. We all loved him.
One Sunday morning about 22 years ago, his body was found lyingbhelplessly in the car park of his apartment. MR AKPAN IS DEAD.
It was reported that he was strangled to death as traces of rope marks were seen around his neck.
WHO KILLED MR AKPAN?
Different stories were circulated about the cause of his demise we don’t know which one to believe. Everybody in the neighborhood was interested in finding and bringing to justice whoever could have brought the life of such an influential and peaceful Man to such an abrupt end.
A peaceful movement with candlelight was paraded around the neighborhood to pay him last respect. I was eight years old and I remembered almost everyone was crying bitterly that faithful day.
The Policemen began the investigation and everyone in the community was ready to support it. After 6 months of investigation, the police couldn’t determine who or what causes Mr Akpans’ death.
Eight months after Mr Akpan demised, his close friend and colleague Mr Ayodeji, who had traveled outside the country six months before Mr Akpan's death returned home and was enraged that no one has been brought to justice concerning his friend's death. So, Mr Ayodeji decides to go the Traditional way and Consulted Oracle about the cause of Mr Akpans’ death. He was told that an associate has killed his friend and that associate used to be one of Mr Akpan's apprentices.
Mr Ayodeji informed the police about his findings and a few of Mr Akpan's former associates were taken in for questioning. None of those questioned was present in the community at the time of Mr Akpan's murder so the policemen couldn’t detain anyone.
Mr Ayodeji wasn’t at rest so he returned to the Ifa priest to inquire what can be done to find out the perpetrator(s) of the murder. Sacrifices were made and Mr Akpan's site of murder was visited where the Ifa priest painted with some reddish kinds of stuff…. It was in broad daylight around 4 pm!
After three days Engineer Wasiu summoned the chief Imam of our town center mosque and Mr Ayodeji to the hospital where he was receiving treatment.
We were told he confessed to the murder of Mr Akpan and open up that Mr Akpan outsourced a contract to him worth ten million naira which he squandered and lavish away and that when Mr Akpan finds out he was angered and threatened to arrest him and make him rot in Jail. That made him make up his mind that he will rather kill Mr Akpan than go to prison.
Engineer wasiu also confessed that he bribed the vigilante guys around the estate to allow him passage after murdering Mr Akpan as he was caught by one Mr Kure a member of the vigilante.
The whole community was shocked and saddens by Engineer Wasiu confession that everyone with anger matched to the house of OLU-ODE (Chief vigilante) to demand Mr Kure's address and sanction.
Engineer Wasiu died three days after his confession from termite decay around his neck as reported and Mr Kure was said to have returned to his Country.
Five years ago, the town hall was renamed "AKPAN MEMORIAL TOWN HALL" as a gesture of respect to Mr Akpan and for his contribution to the development of the town when he was alive. The Town hall project was supervised by him when he was alive too.
Thank you for reading…..