Court grants bail to Prof. Uduk after electoral fraud conviction in Akwa Ibom

The High Court sitting in Uyo has granted Prof. Ignatius Uduk, a university don, bail on alleged electoral fraud pending the outcome of his appeal.

The decision was made on Thursday by Justice Okon Okon, who cited the applicant’s critical health condition as a key factor in granting the bail.

Justice Okon Okon, in his ruling on the bail application for the applicant, said the applicant is granted bail on the sum of N2 million with two sureties.

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The Judge added that the applicant should not travel out of the country within the period of bail 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.

The INEC was represented in the Court by Mr. Daniel Nwike and Uduk was represented by Chief Kalu Umeh, SAN, Senator Ita Enang, Dr Joe Udoinyang and George Ezegwu.

Speaking after the judgement, Senator Ita Enang said they were happy with the ruling of the court.

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

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“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 at the same time working very assiduously to make sure the appeal entered 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.

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“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 said.

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.