Daily Justice - Latest News Updates in Nigeria

Calabar, Nigeria – 13 May 2025
In a case that has reignited debates about electoral integrity and political accountability in Nigeria, Professor Peter Ogban, a soil science academic at the University of Calabar, was convicted in 2021 for rigging the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial election in favour of Godswill Akpabio, the current Senate President. Despite a three-year prison sentence upheld by the Court of Appeal in April 2025, Ogban has reportedly not served his full term, prompting allegations of political interference and selective justice. This development has also cast a shadow over Akpabio’s legitimacy as Senate President, with civil society groups demanding his resignation.

The controversy stems from the 2019 general elections, where Ogban served as the Returning Officer for the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial district. As a professor entrusted with upholding electoral integrity, Ogban was found guilty of manipulating results to inflate Akpabio’s vote tally, then a candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Court evidence revealed that Ogban added approximately 5,000 fictitious votes in Oruk Anam and tampered with results in Etim Ekpo local government areas, actions intended to favour Akpabio over his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, Christopher Ekpenyong. Despite these efforts, Akpabio lost the election, but the fraudulent manipulation led to significant legal consequences.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by then-Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini, investigated and prosecuted Ogban. On 25 March 2021, the Akwa Ibom State High Court in Ikot Ekpene sentenced him to three years in prison and imposed a ₦100,000 fine for fraudulent manipulation and falsification of election results. Ogban admitted under oath to adding fake votes, a confession that underscored the severity of his misconduct. The court condemned his actions as a betrayal of public trust, particularly given his academic standing.

Ogban appealed the conviction, but on 30 April 2025, the Court of Appeal in Calabar upheld the sentence, reinforcing the judiciary’s stance against electoral fraud. The appellate court expressed dismay at Ogban’s role, noting that his actions undermined Nigeria’s democratic process. Alongside Ogban, another academic, Professor Ignatius Uduk, was convicted for similar offences in the 2019 Essien Udim State Constituency election, highlighting a troubling trend of academics involvement in electoral malpractice.

Despite the upheld conviction, recent reports indicate that Ogban remains free, a situation that has sparked widespread concern. Following his 2021 conviction, Ogban was briefly remanded at the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Facility. However, on 12 July 2021, Justice Pius Idiong of the State High Court granted him bail pending his appeal, citing health concerns including high blood pressure and tuberculosis. INEC opposed the bail, but Ogban’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kanu Agabi, successfully argued for his release.

After the Court of Appeal’s ruling in April 2025, Ogban’s legal team filed a fresh motion at the Supreme Court to secure continued bail, seeking leave to appeal the conviction. The motion argues that Ogban’s right to appeal is fundamental under Nigerian law and that his imprisonment should be suspended pending the Supreme Court’s decision. Court documents reveal that Ogban has challenged the charges’ clarity and the evidence used against him, claiming the Court of Appeal erred in its interpretation. As of May 2025, Ogban has not been returned to custody, and the Nigeria Correctional Service in Akwa Ibom has been unable to confirm his status, raising questions about enforcement.

Critics argue that this delay tactic reflects a broader issue of selective justice, particularly given Ogban’s ties to powerful political figures. A source cited by SaharaReporters described the bail motion as an attempt to “deceive the general public,” suggesting that Ogban’s freedom may be facilitated by influential connections. The fact that a convict awaiting appeal is typically remanded unless explicitly ordered otherwise has fuelled speculation about external pressures.

The case has intensified scrutiny on Nigeria’s political landscape, with many pointing to Akpabio’s prominence as a potential factor in Ogban’s continued freedom. Akpabio, a key ally of President Bola Tinubu and a leading figure in the APC, has faced accusations of benefiting from a system that shields associates from accountability. Civil society organisations (CSOs), including SERAP and HEDA, have suggested that political influence may be delaying Ogban’s imprisonment, though no direct evidence has been presented. The coalition of 56 CSOs noted that the conviction of an official who manipulated results in Akpabio’s favour raises “serious concerns about the legitimacy of his mandate.”

Public sentiment, as reflected on social media platforms like X, echoes these concerns. Users have questioned why Ogban faces punishment while Akpabio remains unscathed, with one post stating, “Justice remains incomplete if only the tool is punished while the beneficiary of the fraud, Akpabio, continues to enjoy the seat.” Others have described Nigeria as a country where politicians exploit academics for electoral gains, only to evade consequences themselves.

Akpabio’s continued tenure as Senate President, despite his link to the 2019 electoral fraud, has become a focal point of contention. Akpabio has consistently denied involvement, claiming he was a victim of the manipulation rather than a beneficiary. In statements issued through his former aide, Aniete Ekong, Akpabio argued that Ogban’s actions, including cancelling 61,329 votes in his home local government of Essien Udim, disadvantaged him. He further noted that the National Assembly Election Tribunal and Court of Appeal invalidated the election, ordering a rerun, which he claims vindicates his position.

However, these assertions have been debunked by court evidence and media reports, including Premium Times, which confirmed that Ogban’s manipulations were intended to favour Akpabio. Despite losing the 2019 election, Akpabio returned to the Senate in 2023 and was elected Senate President, a role that has amplified calls for his resignation. On 5 May 2025, a coalition of CSOs demanded that Akpabio step aside, arguing that his continued leadership undermines public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process. They questioned whether Akpabio had the “legal or moral standing” to serve, given the judicial confirmation of fraud in his 2019 election.

Akpabio’s position is further complicated by his political influence within the APC and his close ties to the presidency. The CSOs have urged the APC to initiate a rerun or revalidation process for the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial seat, but no such action has been taken. Akpabio’s ability to maintain his role suggests a lack of political will to address the ethical questions surrounding his mandate, a situation critics attribute to Nigeria’s entrenched power dynamics.

The Ogban case underscores systemic challenges in Nigeria’s electoral system, where academics and officials are sometimes co-opted into fraudulent schemes. The convictions of Ogban and Uduk mark significant steps toward accountability, but the failure to enforce Ogban’s sentence highlights gaps in judicial enforcement. The judiciary has been praised for upholding Ogban’s conviction, with INEC’s efforts under Mike Igini receiving commendation. However, the CSOs have called for stronger mechanisms to prevent electoral manipulation and ensure that beneficiaries of fraud face consequences.

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the case serves as a warning about the fragility of democratic institutions. The public’s frustration, evident in social media reactions, reflects a demand for transparency and fairness. One user on X lamented, “The professor has dragged his name in the mud, his family will suffer shame, and Akpabio is walking free.” Until Ogban serves his sentence and the questions surrounding Akpabio’s legitimacy are addressed, the case will remain a symbol of Nigeria’s struggle for electoral justice.