A university professor, Tuesday, was arraigned on a two-count charge of manipulation and falsification of results before Akwa Ibom High Court.
Peter Ogban from the University of Uyo was arraigned by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state for allegedly manipulating the scores of two political parties.
According to Channels TV, Ogban served as a collation officer for the Akwa Ibom North-West National Assembly election during the 2019 general elections in the state.
He was alleged to have falsified and announced fake results in Etim Ekpo and Oruk Anam local government areas of the state.
The electoral commission stated that the offences are punishable under Sections 1 and 123, subsection 4 of 2010 Electoral Act (as amended).
However, Anthony Ekpe, the counsel to the defendant, made an oral application for bail on liberal terms for his client.
The presiding judge, Justice Augustine Odokwo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 and a surety in like sum and adjourned the hearing of the case until December 15.
Reacting, Mike Igini, Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner, said the arraignment was in line with INEC’s commitment to ensuring credibility of elections.
He announced that three members of staff of the commission have also been dismissed for electoral offences, and four others were being investigated.
