Court grants Prof. Ogban bail in the sum of N10m

Akwa Ibom State High Court 1 sitting in Ikot Ekpene, has granted bail to Professor Peter Ogban in the sum of N10 million pending his appeal.

Professor Peter Ogban was given a 36 months jail term and a fine of N100,000 after the court found him guilty of electoral fraud levelled against him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Presiding Judge, Justice Pius Idiong, said in his ruling on Monday that the bail conditions would include a surety in like sum who must reside and have properties within the jurisdiction of the Court.

Others include the presentation of 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 to serve the terms of sentence before the determination of the appeal.

Counsel to INEC, Kpoobari Sigalo explained that the conditions for bail must be perfected before the applicant can be released on bail.

INEC had taken Ogban to court on two count charge of fraudulently tampering with the election results in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party during the 2019 General Election in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.

The court has found Ogban who acted as the Collation/Returning Officer during the National Assembly elections guilty for manipulating and falsifying the scores of election results in Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo local government areas in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party.