Convicted Professor Who Rigged Election for Akpabio Still Free Despite Court Upholding Jail Term

Peter Ogban, a Nigerian professor convicted for rigging a senatorial election in favour of Godswill Akpabio, the current Senate President, has not served the jail sentence handed to him in 2021. Contrary to public belief that he has either completed or is still serving his term, Ogban has been walking free. This revelation contradicts widespread assumptions among Nigerians, including many journalists.

Ogban, a professor of soil science at the University of Calabar, was the returning officer in the 2019 senatorial election for Akwa Ibom North-West, where he falsified results in favour of Akpabio, then a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). A State High Court in Uyo found him guilty in March 2021 and sentenced him to three years in prison for announcing fake election results in Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo Local Government Areas.

Following his conviction, Ogban was taken to a federal prison in Ikot Ekpene. However, just four months into his sentence, he was granted bail by Justice Pius Idiong of the State High Court, Ikot Ekpene, on 12 July 2021, despite opposition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which prosecuted him.

The bail was granted on the grounds of alleged ill health, with Ogban’s lawyer, former Attorney General of the Federation Kanu Agabi (SAN), citing high blood pressure and tuberculosis. The court accepted the argument that Ogban could suffer injustice if kept in prison while his appeal was pending. Justice Idiong noted that the Court of Appeal might reduce the sentence, provide a fine option, or even acquit him.

The Court of Appeal, Calabar, on 30 April 2025, upheld Ogban’s conviction and the three-year sentence. Despite this, he has not been returned to prison. Sources revealed that Ogban was absent during the virtual court session where the judgement was delivered. A legal expert argued that prison officials should have ensured his presence and immediate return to custody.

The Nigeria Correctional Service in Akwa Ibom could not confirm Ogban’s whereabouts. The service’s spokesperson, Richard Metong, promised to verify but did not provide any update.

Mr Agabi is reportedly heading to the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal ruling, further delaying the enforcement of Ogban’s sentence.

In a similar case, Ignatius Uduk, a professor at the University of Uyo, was convicted of election-related offences in the 2019 Essien Udim State Constituency election. He was sentenced to three years in prison for falsifying results in favour of APC candidate Nse Ntuen, an ally of Akpabio. Like Ogban, Uduk has also been granted bail after his conviction.