In a significant legal ruling, a High Court in Akwa Ibom has sentenced Professor Ignatius Uduk to three years in prison for publishing false election results and perjury. The charges, brought by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stem from Uduk’s actions during the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-west State House of Assembly election, where he served as the collation and returning officer.
While Uduk was acquitted of announcing false election results, the court found him guilty of publishing fraudulent results and committing perjury. The legal proceedings began in December 2020, when Uduk was first arraigned after an arrest warrant was issued for his failure to appear in court. Despite pleading not guilty to the charges, the case experienced numerous delays, including a change in his defense team and a health-related incident where Uduk collapsed during cross-examination.
The case, which was initiated by then INEC resident electoral commissioner Mike Igini, marks a crucial moment in INEC’s ongoing efforts to tackle electoral malpractice and reinforce the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.