An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Ikot Ekpene has granted a University of Calabar lecturer and Returning Officer at the 2019 National Assembly election for Akwa Ibom northwest senatorial district, Prof Peter Ogban bail in the sum of 10 million naira pending his appeal.
The presiding judge, Pius Idiong in his ruling gave other conditions for bail to include a surety in like sum who must reside and have properties within the jurisdiction of the Court.
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Other conditions include the presentation of the Certificate of Occupancy signed by the State Governor and two passport photographs each of the applicant and surety to the Registrar of the Court.
Justice Idiong held that though the applicant did not prove exceptional circumstance or unusual reason to be granted bail, the applicant may have served the terms of the sentence before the determination of the appeal.
Prof Ogban was convicted on a two-count charge of manipulation and falsification of election results in the 2019 general elections when he served as the collation and returning officer for Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District election, an offence punishable under section 1 and section 123, subsection 4 of the 2010 electoral act as amended.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
