The Court of Appeal, Calabar has upheld the conviction of Professor Peter Ogban, a University of Calabar academic, sentenced to three years in prison for rigging the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial election in favour of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The landmark ruling reinforces Nigeria’s stance against electoral fraud, spotlighting the misuse of academic influence in undermining democracy.
Ogban, a professor of soil science, served as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer during the 2019 election. He was found guilty in 2021 by a State High Court in Uyo for falsifying results in Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo local government areas, inflating Akpabio’s votes by approximately 5,000 in Oruk Anam alone.
Despite Akpabio’s loss to Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Chris Ekpenyong, the fraud was uncovered through a rigorous investigation led by INEC’s then-Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini.
The appellate court’s decision, delivered on Wednesday, 30 April, 2025 condemned Ogban’s actions as a “grave misconduct” unfit for a trusted academic.
Judge Augustine Odokwo, who presided over the original trial, had described the case as “novel,” emphasising that the prosecution proved Ogban’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Ogban’s plea for mercy was rejected, with the court stressing the need to deter electoral malpractice.
The ruling has sparked public discourse, with some social media users expressing dismay that Akpabio remains Senate President despite the scandal. Others hailed the verdict as a victory for accountability.
Akpabio has consistently denied involvement, with supporters alleging the fraud benefited his opponent, a claim debunked by court evidence.
This case, alongside the recent conviction of another professor, Ignatius Uduk, for similar fraud, underscores INEC’s commitment to prosecuting electoral offenders, signaling a broader fight to protect Nigeria’s democratic integrity.
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