- Court Sentences UNIUYO Professor Ignatius Uduk to Three Years Imprisonment, the High Court in Akwa Ibom State found him guilty of electoral fraud.
- Uduk served as a Collation/Returning officer during the 2019 elections.
- He was convicted on two counts related to announcing and publishing false election results.
On February 5, 2025, the High Court in Akwa Ibom State sentenced Professor Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) to three years in prison for electoral fraud committed during the 2019 general elections.
Uduk, a Professor of Human Kinetics, acted as a Collation/Returning officer for the Essien Udim State Constituency and was found guilty on two counts related to announcing and publishing false election results, as well as perjury.
The trial judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang, acquitted him on one count but imposed a three-year sentence for each of the other two counts, which will run concurrently.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Mike Igini as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, prosecuted Uduk on charges that included neglecting his duties and lying under oath. His trial experienced several delays, leading to a change of judges before it concluded.
This case is significant as it highlights INEC’s commitment to tackling electoral malpractice and holding offenders accountable. Uduk’s conviction follows a similar case involving another UNIUYO professor, Peter Ogban, who was also sentenced to three years in prison for electoral offenses in 2019.
The legal proceedings against Uduk have attracted considerable attention due to their implications for electoral integrity in Nigeria. As INEC continues its efforts to ensure fair elections, this ruling serves as a warning to those who might try to manipulate the electoral process.
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