By Tonia Okereke
The Court of Appeal sitting Calabar, on Wednesday, upheld the conviction of Porf. Peter Ogban, who was jailed in 2021 for rigging a senatorial election for the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Mr Ogban, a professor of Soil Science at the University of Calabar was the returning officer in the 2019 general elections in Akwa Ibom North-West District. He was jailed for three years by a State High Court in Uyo for announcing fake election results in two local government areas – Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo – in Senator Akpabio’s favour.
Before his sentencing, the professor pleaded for mercy from the judge, Augustine Odokwo.
Justice Odokwo, who described the case as novel, told the lecturer that there was not much he could do other than let the law take its course.
He said the prosecution was able to prove its case against Mr Ogban, beyond any reasonable doubt.
A lawyer who participated in the case at the appellate court told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday afternoon that the Court of Appeal, apart from affirming Mr Ogban’s conviction and three-year jail term, condemned his actions being a university professor.
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