By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
As the June 27 date for the opening of defence by the legal team of the accused university don who is standing trial for electoral fraud draws nearer, there are indications that judgement will be delivered before Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Mike Igini retires.
An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has recently dismissed the ‘No case submission’ and preliminary objection of Professor Ignatius Uduk of University of Uyo (UNIUYO), who is standing trial for alleged electoral fraud during the 2019 general elections.
The Court presided over by Justice Bassey Nkanang ordered the accused person to open his case on June 27 to 30 to state his own side of the story of electoral fraud allegedly committed by him.
Uduk is a Professor of Physical and Health Education, UNIUYO, who served as the Collation/Returning Officer for Essien Udim State Constituency, during the 2019 general elections.
He is being prosecuted by INEC in Akwa Ibom state headed by Barrister Igini, on three counts amended charge bordering on abandonment of duties, publishing of false election result scores, and lying on oath.
Should Professor Uduk be convicted for the alleged electoral fraud, he will be the second university don to be sent to jail.
Prompt News Online recalls that Professor Peter Ogban, who was a Returning Officer in the 2019 general elections in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District was jailed for fraud last year.
Ogban, a Professor of Soil Science was tried and convicted by a High Court in Akwa-Ibom State and sentenced to three years in prison.
The court had found Ogban guilty of fraudulent manipulation of election results, publishing and announcing of false results just as he was also asked to pay N100,000 fine.
This is the first time INEC is prosecuting Professors or anyone else for electoral fraud.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom state REC’s name will enter the history book as one public servant who fought and defeated corruption in a country where only few men dare to confront the hydra-headed monster by the jailing of one Professor with the second on his way to the Correctional Center for committing electoral frauds within his area of jurisdiction.
