UNIUYO Professor Jailed for Electoral Fraud in Landmark Ruling

A professor at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Ignatius Uduk, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his involvement in electoral fraud during the 2019 general elections. This ruling, handed down by Justice Bassey Nkanang at the Uyo High Court on Wednesday, has made headlines due to its significance in upholding the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

Uduk, a Professor of Human Kinetics, was tried on three counts of electoral malpractice brought against him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While the court acquitted him on Count 1, he was found guilty on Counts 2 and 3. Consequently, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment for each of the two guilty counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.

This case follows the conviction of another UNIUYO academic, Professor Peter Ogban, who was similarly sentenced to three years in 2019 for electoral offenses. Uduk’s conviction serves as a significant step in INEC’s continued efforts to punish electoral wrongdoers, sending a stern message to anyone contemplating such illegal activities in the future.

The sentence highlights the growing importance of maintaining electoral integrity in Nigeria and reaffirms INEC’s resolve to combat electoral fraud.