Electoral Fraud: Judge’s Absence Stalls Hearing Of Professor Uduk’s Case

The proceeding in a case of electoral fraud against Professor
Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo suffered a major setback on
Thursday as a result of the absence of the presiding judge, Justice
Archibong Archibong.

Professor Uduk was a Collation/Returning Officer in charge of
Essien Udim State Constituency in the State Constituency election
of March 21, 2019.

He has been standing trial on a three-count bordering on
electoral fraud and perjury brought against him by Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State.

The case which was last heard on January 19, 2021, was adjourned
to April 1, 2021, but the case could not hold because of the
absence of the trial judge.

No official reason was given for his absence but the case was
adjourned to April 19, 2021, for hearing.

Professor Uduk is the second professor arraigned by INEC, Akwa
Ibom State for alleged Electoral fraud in the 2019 general
elections.

Last week, Professor Peter Ogban was sentenced to three years
imprisonment in a two-count of manipulation and falsification of
election results.

Ogban was the returning officer in the Senatorial Election held
in Akwa Ibom north-west in 2019 and the case was instituted by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State
against him.

The proceeding in a case of electoral fraud against Professor
Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo suffered a major setback on
Thursday as a result of the absence of the presiding judge, Justice
Archibong Archibong.

Professor Uduk was a Collation/Returning Officer in charge of
Essien Udim State Constituency in the State Constituency election
of March 21, 2019.

He has been standing trial on a three-count bordering on
electoral fraud and perjury brought against him by Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State.

The case which was last heard on January 19, 2021, was adjourned
to April 1, 2021, but the case could not hold because of the
absence of the trial judge.

No official reason was given for his absence but the case was
adjourned to April 19, 2021, for hearing.

Professor Uduk is the second professor arraigned by INEC, Akwa
Ibom State for alleged Electoral fraud in the 2019 general
elections.

Last week, Professor Peter Ogban was sentenced to three years
imprisonment in a two-count of manipulation and falsification of
election results.

Ogban was the returning officer in the Senatorial Election held
in Akwa Ibom north-west in 2019 and the case was instituted by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State
against him.