The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar on Wednesday upheld the conviction and three-year prison sentence on Professor Peter Ogban, who was found guilty of manipulating the results of the 2019 Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District election in favour of Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The appellate court affirmed the lower court’s verdict, condemning Ogban’s actions as a betrayal of his position and dut as an academic.
The panel described his conduct as a grave affront to Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly given his role as an electoral officer and respected university professor.
Ogban, who served as the returning officer during the poll, was convicted of altering figures to falsely increase the vote tally of Senator Akpabio, a former governor and current Senate President, in a bid to secure him victory at the expense of the actual winner.
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In its ruling, the court emphasized that those in privileged positions, especially within academia and public service, must be held to the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
The decision reinforces the judiciary’s stance on electoral malpractice and its willingness to penalize offenders regardless of status.
The conviction, first handed down in 2021 by a High Court in Akwa Ibom State, sparked national discourse over the role of academics in Nigeria’s election processes. With the Court of Appeal’s decision, Ogban will now serve the full three-year sentence without option of fine.
This ruling is seen by legal experts as a significant step in restoring confidence in the credibility of elections and the impartiality of institutions tasked with overseeing them.
Crediblenewng.com
