Electoral Fraud: Court Grants Jailed Professor Bail

The High Court sitting in Uyo has granted Prof. Ignatius Uduk bail on alleged electoral fraud pending the appeal against his conviction due to his critical health conditions.

Justice Okon Okon, yesterday in Uyo, in his ruling on the bail application for the applicant while granting him bail, said the applicant was granted bail on the sum of  N2 million with two sureties.

The judge added that the applicant should not travel out of the country during the bail period and should deposit his international passport with the court.

The suit was brought before the court with charge No: HU/240c/2020 between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Prof. Ignatius Uduk.

Mr Daniel Nwike represented INEC in court, while Uduk was represented by Chief Kalu Umeh (SAN), Senator Ita Enang, Dr. Joe Udoinyang, and George Ezegwu.

Speaking to newsmen after the judgement, Senator Enang said that they were happy with the court’s ruling.

Enang, who spoke on behalf of Umeh, SAN, said they would expedite action “to meet the bail conditions to ensure that the applicant is released to go and treat himself, pending appeal.”

“The honourable court has granted bail pending appeal to the applicant, Prof. Ignatius Uduk, in the sum of N2 million and two sureties in like sum and to be residents within the jurisdiction of the court.

“The applicant will also deposit his international passport and should not travel out of jurisdiction within the period of the bail.

“We are taking urgent steps to perfect the conditions of the bail while working very assiduously to ensure the appeal is entered into the Court of Appeal soon.

“The records have been completely compiled and are being transmitted to the Court of Appeal for the expeditious prosecution of the Appeal.

“So, we are very grateful to the court, and we are taking every step to make sure the conditions of bail are perfected and the applicant is released from custody pending appeal.

“We are very grateful to every person who worked with us, especially our lead counsel, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Kalu Umeh,” Enang stressed.

It would be recalled that Uduk was sentenced to three years in prison for electoral fraud related to his role as collation/returning officer for the Essien Udim state constituency seat during the 2019 general elections.