Alleged Electoral Fraud: Court Adjourns Trial Of Prof. Ignatius Uduk

A High Court sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital has adjourned the trial of Professor Ignatius Uduk till January 13, 2021.

Professor Uduk who is a lecturer at the University of Uyo is being arraigned on a three-count bordering on electoral fraud.

The adjournment of his trial was based on a verbal application by the prosecuting counsel to effect a minor amendment on their earlier charges.

He was the Collation and Returning Officer in Essien Udim state constituency election in 2019.

He is also being arraigned for abandoning his assigned duties as the Collation and Returning officer of the State House of Assembly election and unlawfully generating scores and entering same in form EC 8E(II) thereby committing an offence punishable under section 122 subsection 1 of the electoral act 2010 as amended.

Prof Uduk is also charged with announcing and circulating false and fake election results contrary to and punishable under section 123 subsection 4 of the electoral act 2010 as amended.

He was charged for perjury, lying on oath, contrary to section 119 subsection 1 of the criminal code law, laws of Akwa Ibom State 2000.

When the matter came up before the trial judge, the prosecution counsel, Kpoobari Sigalo applied for an adjournment to effect a minor amendment to the charges.

The presiding judge, Archibong Archibong adjourned the case to January 13, 2021, for a definite hearing.

Counsels to both parties spoke to journalists.

Prof Uduk is the second lecturer to be arranged in court by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom state for electoral fraud in the 2019 general elections.