INEC arraigns collation officer, dismisses 3 officials over electoral offences
- INEC has arraigned Peter Ogban, a university professor who served as a collation officer before a State High Court
- The professor was arraigned on a two-count charge of manipulation and falsification of results
- The electoral commission also dismissed three members of staff for electoral offences
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A university professor was on Tuesday, November 17, arraigned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly manipulating the scores of two political parties.
Peter Ogban, a professor at the University of Uyo was arraigned before a State High Court in Ikot Ekpene Division on two counts of manipulation and falsification of results.
According to Channels TV, the professor served as a collation officer for the Akwa Ibom North-West National Assembly election during the 2019 general elections in the state.
He was also arraigned for allegedly falsifying and announcing fake results in Etim Ekpo and Oruk Anam local government areas of the state.
Source: UGC
The electoral commission stated that the offences are punishable under Sections 1 and 123, Subsection 4 of the Electoral Act, as amended.
However, Anthony Ekpe, the counsel to the defendant, made an application for bail before the presiding judge, Justice Augustine Odokwo.
Justice Odokwo, while granting the defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 and a surety in like sum and adjourned the case till December 15.
Mike Igini, the Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) noted that the commission has dismissed three officials for electoral offences, while four others were being investigated.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of INEC, finally lifted the lids on why he handed over to Muazu Ahmed despite his reappointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking on Monday, November 9, at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, the electoral umpire said it "will be inappropriate" to continue without the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate.
Yakubu stepped aside temporarily after handing over leadership of the commission to Ahmed on Monday, November 9, at an event held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
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INEC official at Abuja court | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
