Court grants lecturer bail over alleged electoral fraud

Akpan Umoh

The Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo on Monday granted bail in the sum of N500,000 to Professor Ignatius Uduk, accused of electoral fraud in 2019 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Akwa Ibom had arraigned Prof. Ignatius Uduk in court for allegedly declaring and publishing false election results during the 2019 State House of Assembly elections when he served as collation/returning officer at INEC office, Afaha Ikot Ebak in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Archibong Archibong admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N500, 000 with a surety in like sum.

Archibong asked the surety to present evidence of ownership of landed property and a letter of identification from a prominent citizen of Akwa Ibom State, who works or does business within the state.

According to him, the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and must present two recent passport photographs dully certified to be his true photograph.

He stated that though the accused presented cogent and sufficient materials to convince the court to grant him bail, the respondent (Independent National Electoral Commission), who opposed his bail application failed to present facts sufficient or any superior argument to convince the court on why the applicant should be denied bail.

“That being the case I hereby rule that the applicant is entitled to bail pending the determination of the charge against him.

“Consequently, I order as follows; that the applicant be admitted to bail in the sum of N500, 000 and a surety in the like sum.

“The above information is to be verified by the assistant director in charge of this court and confirmed by the prosecuting counsel before the applicant maybe released from custody upon fulfilment of the bail condition,” he said.

Justice Archibong further ordered for an accelerated hearing and adjourned the case to January 11, 2021.

Speaking to newsmen, Counsel to INEC, Mr Emmanuel Eze said, “The Court has granted the applicant bail with conditions attached to it. The Court has spoken, and you don’t question court decision. If you are not satisfied you can go on appeal.

Also speaking, Counsel to the accused, Mr Abasiediong Ekpenyong said, “The conditions in my opinion are liberal, and just in the circumstance of the case. And the accused person is ready to defend himself.”

Professor Uduk was arraigned under charge no: HU/240c/2020, on three count charge of abandonment of duties and generation of false scores on form EC BE (II) on March 10,  2019 at INEC office in Afaha Ikot Ebak during the State House of Assembly elections.

Announcement and publication of false election result; and lying on oath at the inception of the Election Petition tribunal.