The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar has upheld the conviction of Professor Peter Ogban, a former Returning Officer for the 2019 general elections in Akwa Ibom North-West District, who was sentenced to three years in prison for manipulating election results to favour Senator Godswill Akpabio.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, the appellate court affirmed the judgment of the State High Court in Uyo, which found Ogban guilty of falsifying election results in two local government areas—Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo—to secure an unfair advantage for Akpabio, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and current President of the Nigerian Senate.
The court expressed particular concern over Ogban's position as a university professor, emphasizing that his involvement in electoral fraud undermines public trust in academic institutions and the electoral process. The judgment serves as a stern reminder of the judiciary's commitment to upholding electoral integrity and holding accountable those who compromise the democratic process.
Senator Akpabio, who lost the 2019 senatorial election before successfully contesting and winning in 2023, has not publicly commented on the court's decision. The case continues to attract widespread attention, highlighting ongoing concerns about electoral malpractice and the need for robust measures to ensure free and fair elections in Nigeria.
The ruling is expected to have significant implications for future cases of electoral fraud, reinforcing the judiciary's role in safeguarding the sanctity of the electoral process.
