Poll Fraud: Jailed Prof Gets N10m Bail Pending Appeal

The Akwa Ibom State High Court 1 sitting in Ikot Ekpene has
granted bail to Prof Peter Ogban in the sum of N10m pending his
appeal.

Ogban, a professor of Soil Science at the University of Calabar,
Cross River State, was handed a 36-month jail term and a fine of
N100,000 after being found guilty of electoral fraud levelled
against him by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The presiding judge, Justice Pius Idiong, said in his ruling on
Monday that the bail conditions would include a surety in like sum,
who must reside and have landed property within the jurisdiction of
the court.

Others include the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy
signed by the state governor and two passport photographs each of
the applicant and the surety to the registrar of the court.

Justice Idiong held that though the convict did not prove
exceptional circumstance or unusual reason to be granted bail, he
might have to serve the term of sentence before the determination
of the appeal.

Counsel for INEC, Kpoobari Sigalo, explained that the conditions
for bail must be perfected before the applicant could be
released.

INEC had arraigned Ogban on two counts bordering on fraudulently
tampering with election results in favour of the All Progressives
Congress party during the 2019 general elections in the Akwa Ibom
North West Senatorial District.

Ogban, who acted as the collation/returning officer during the
National Assembly election, was found guilty for manipulating and
falsifying the results in the Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo local
government areas in favour of the All Progressives Congress.

The Akwa Ibom State High Court 1 sitting in Ikot Ekpene has
granted bail to Prof Peter Ogban in the sum of N10m pending his
appeal.

Ogban, a professor of Soil Science at the University of Calabar,
Cross River State, was handed a 36-month jail term and a fine of
N100,000 after being found guilty of electoral fraud levelled
against him by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The presiding judge, Justice Pius Idiong, said in his ruling on
Monday that the bail conditions would include a surety in like sum,
who must reside and have landed property within the jurisdiction of
the court.

Others include the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy
signed by the state governor and two passport photographs each of
the applicant and the surety to the registrar of the court.

Justice Idiong held that though the convict did not prove
exceptional circumstance or unusual reason to be granted bail, he
might have to serve the term of sentence before the determination
of the appeal.

Counsel for INEC, Kpoobari Sigalo, explained that the conditions
for bail must be perfected before the applicant could be
released.

INEC had arraigned Ogban on two counts bordering on fraudulently
tampering with election results in favour of the All Progressives
Congress party during the 2019 general elections in the Akwa Ibom
North West Senatorial District.

Ogban, who acted as the collation/returning officer during the
National Assembly election, was found guilty for manipulating and
falsifying the results in the Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo local
government areas in favour of the All Progressives Congress.