Professor Uduk’s trial was marked by repeated adjournments, largely due to delays from the defense, which also led to a change in the presiding judge. His conviction follows a similar case involving another UNIUYO professor, Peter Ogban, who was also sentenced to three years in prison for electoral malpractice.
Uyo, Nigeria – A High Court in Akwa Ibom State has sentenced Professor Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) to three years in prison for electoral fraud during the 2019 general elections.
Professor Uduk, a lecturer in Human Kinetics, served as the Collation and Returning Officer for the Essien Udim State Constituency during the March 2019 elections. He was prosecuted on a three-count charge of announcing false results, publishing false results, and perjury.
Delivering judgment, Justice Bassey Nkanang of Uyo High Court 5 acquitted Uduk on the first count but found him guilty of counts two and three. The court subsequently sentenced him to three years in prison for each of the two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The case was initiated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of then Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mike Igini. The prosecution accused Uduk of abandoning his duties, announcing fabricated election results, and lying under oath.
Professor Uduk’s trial was marked by repeated adjournments, largely due to delays from the defense, which also led to a change in the presiding judge. His conviction follows a similar case involving another UNIUYO professor, Peter Ogban, who was also sentenced to three years in prison for electoral malpractice.
The ruling brings to a close a five-year legal battle by INEC against electoral fraud in the 2019 elections in Akwa Ibom State.
Join our Channel...