The sentence of execution by hanging for Uduak Akpan, the first defendant in the murder of an Akwa Ibom job seeker, caused consternation in the Akwa Ibom State High Court.
Shortly after trial judge Justice Bassey Nkanang announced the verdict and punishment, Akpan made an attempt to flee.
The police had to step in to stop the attempted escape, according to the news media.
The two charges of murder and rape that were brought against the defendant resulted in a sentence of execution by hanging and life in prison.
Though they were on trial for being an accessory after the fact to murder, the court released and exonerated his sister Anwan Bassey and father Frank Akpan (the second and third accused).