In a landmark judgment that underscored Nigeria’s renewed commitment to electoral accountability, the Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar has upheld the three-year prison sentence handed to Professor Peter Ogban, a former Returning Officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for manipulating senatorial election results in 2019.
Ogban, a professor of soil science at the University of Calabar, was convicted in 2021 for tampering with election results in Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
His actions favoured then-senatorial candidate Godswill Akpabio, who now serves as President of the Senate.
According to court records, Professor Ogban added over 5,000 fraudulent votes to the tally of the All Progressives Congress (APC), aiming to sway the outcome against the eventual winner, Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The appellate court condemned Ogban’s conduct as a betrayal of public trust and academic responsibility.
Legal observers say the judgment reinforced a growing intolerance for election malpractice, especially among individuals in privileged or authoritative positions.
“This decision sends a strong message: no one is above the law, not even those trusted with safeguarding our democracy,” said a legal analyst familiar with the case.
Ogban’s conviction is part of a wider clampdown on electoral misconduct involving academics.
In a related development, Professor Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo was also sentenced to three years for election fraud and perjury during the 2019 elections in Essien Udim. He is currently out on bail, pending appeal.
These rulings, analysts say, mark a significant step in Nigeria’s struggle to cleanse its electoral process and restore public confidence in democratic institutions.
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