The High Court of Akwa Ibom State sitting in Uyo has adjourned the trial of Professor Ignatius Uduk of the University of Uyo who is charged for alleged electoral fraud.


The trial of the University don, who was the INEC Collation and Returning Officer for Essien Udim State Constituency in the 2019 election, has been severally stalled following complaints of ill health of the accused person, by his Counsel.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, the Prosecution Counsel tendered the Police Investigation Report from the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command on the medical report of Professor Ignatius Uduk allegedly obtained from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, which was tendered in Court, 26th June, 2022.

According to him, the Lagos State Police Commissioner after receiving a petition on the forgery of the medical report, contacted the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where it was revealed that Professor Ignatius Uduk has never been admitted in the Hospital.

He said the Police Investigation report also said that the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital has no medical record of Professor Ignatius Uduk and could not have carried out any medical examination on him of the various ailment alleged in the medical report he presented to the Court, which has been confirmed to be fake.


The trial of the Uyo born Professor who is facing a three-count charge of forgery and false announcement of results of that election, was however stalled due to the absence of the Defense Counsel, Barr. Abasiodiong Ekpenyong on health grounds.

Prosecution counsel from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, said the Counsel was seen in another Court in Ikot Ekpene the previous day being 27th July, 2022.

A medical report from the General Hospital, Amamong in Okobo Local Government Area dated 26th July, 2022 indicated that the Defense Counsel had reported at the hospital, two days prior to the date of the issuance of the medical report.

The Prosecution Counsel also told the Court that, according to the Police report, the name of one Dr. A.O. Akintunbo that signed the said medical report, is not on the nominal roll of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.


After hearing the Prosecution Counsel, the trial judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang adjourned the matter to Monday, 8th August, 2022 for defense.