The Court of Appeal in Calabar on Wednesday upheld the conviction of Peter Ogban, a university professor jailed in 2021 for manipulating election results in favour of Godswill Akpabio, a senator from Akwa Ibom State.
Mr Akpabio, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), currently serves as President of the Nigerian Senate. The electoral fraud occurred during a senatorial election he lost, prior to his successful 2023 bid which led to his elevation as Senate President.
Professor Ogban, a soil science lecturer at the University of Calabar and returning officer in the 2019 general elections for Akwa Ibom North-West District, was sentenced to three years in prison by a State High Court in Uyo. He was found guilty of announcing false results in Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo Local Government Areas to favour Mr Akpabio.
A lawyer involved in the appellate proceedings told PREMIUM TIMES that the Court of Appeal not only affirmed the conviction and sentence but also expressed strong disapproval of Ogban’s unethical conduct as a university professor.
A former senior official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), familiar with the matter, also confirmed the court’s decision.
Background
During his trial, Professor Ogban admitted to falsifying results to give the APC an undue advantage over its main rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He revealed that approximately 5,000 fake votes were added to the APC’s tally in Oruk Anam.
Mr Akpabio, who had recently defected from the PDP, was seeking re-election to the Senate. He was ultimately defeated by PDP candidate Chris Ekpenyong, a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, in an election marred by isolated incidents of violence.
Before sentencing, Ogban pleaded for leniency, but Justice Augustine Odokwo said the law had to take its course. The judge described the case as novel and praised the prosecution for proving its case beyond reasonable doubt.
