Etim Effiong
A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital has issued a Bench Warrant for the arrest of Professor Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State over his alleged involvement in electoral fraud during the 2019 general elections.
Uduk is accused of an attempt to rig the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District election.
The Head of Department, Voter Education, Odaro Aisien said this in a statement.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after several unsuccessful attempts to serve the Professor with the summons to appear before the Court in Charge No.HU/240C/2020, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had filed a motion for substituted service which was granted on November 16, 2020.
“The order was said to have been served on the office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Uyo, on November 17, 2020, directing the defendant to appear before the Court on November 18. However, when the accused did not appear before the Court, the matter was adjourned to Monday, 23rd of November, 2020,” the statement read in part.
The Bench Warrant for the arrest of Professor Uduk was issued upon the application of the Counsel to INEC, Kpoobari Sigalo.
The Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice A. E. Archibong, frowned at the refusal of the Professor to obey the order of the court.
The matter is adjourned to December 9, 2020, when the police is expected to produce the defendant in court.
The Commission had last week arraigned another Professor Peter Ogban, of the Department of Soil Science, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, who was similarly accused of involvement in electoral fraud during the 2019 general elections in the state.