Electoral fraud: Court adjourns Prof Ignatius Uduk case to December 14, 2021

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State High Court 9 in Uyo, on Thursday adjourned the case of electoral fraud that involves Professor Ignatius Uduk at the resumed trial on Thursday to December 14, 2021.

Uduk of the Department of Physical and Health Education, University of Uyo, is being accused of electoral fraud.

The new date is fixed for hearing on objections raised by the defence counsel.

Justice Bassey Nkanang sitting in Akwa Ibom State High Court 9 in Uyo adjourned the case at the resumed trial on Thursday to December 14, 2021.

The presiding judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang directed counsels to both the defence and prosecution to file all their arguments, and replies respectively for adoption and ruling on the adjourned date, noting that there will be no more stalling of the matter.

Former trial judge, Justice Archibong Archibong had adjourned for ruling on the objections raised by Mr Abasiodiong Ekpenyong, counsel to the accused person but before the adjourned date the judge was elevated to a new court.

Ekpenyong had opposed the substitution of Kpoobari Sigalo with Clement Onwenwunor, who had in previous sitting presented a letter to the court introducing himself as the lead counsel for INEC.

He raised objections to the fact that Mr Clement Onwuenwunor, was not qualified to represent INEC in the case, and he was brought in as counsel in the middle of the case.

It can be recalled that Onwuenwunor represented INEC in a similar case of electoral fraud against Prof Peter Ogban who was found guilty and jailed by the court.

Prof Uduk who was arraigned under charge no HU/240c/2020 on a three count charges of abandonment of duties and unlawful generation of false scores during the Essien Udim State Assembly elections in 2019, was first arraigned in court by INEC on December 9, 2020.

He is also standing trial for the announcement and publication of false election results, and lying on oath at the inception of the election petition tribunal.