Electoral Fraud: INEC Closes Case In Varsity Prof Ignatius Uduk’s Trial

The Independent National Electoral Commission has closed its case in the electoral fraud trial of Prof Ignatius Uduk, a lecturer in the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

This was as the defence counsel, Abasiodiong Ekpeyong, disclosed he would be filing a no-case submission.

Nduk, who was the Returning/Collation Officer for Essien Udim state constituency in the 2019 elections, is standing trial for allegedly publishing and declaring false results.

Five INEC staff members, who took part in the election, testified as prosecution witnesses against Uduk.

First to mount the witness box was Miss Okpash Geraldine, the Supervising Presiding Officer in Odoro Ikot Two, Ward 7, followed by Mr Ndueso Udoka, the third prosecution witness and Supervising Presiding Officer in charge of Ukana West One Registration Area Two and Mr Amba Anso Amba, who served as the INEC Supervising Presiding Officer in Ekpenyong One.

The last witness was Mr Sebastian Etefia, the Supervising Presiding Officer in Adiasim Registration Area One in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections, conducted on March 9, 2019.

The witnesses made depositions on oath and adopted the same as evidence; which were tendered as exhibits without any objection from the defence counsel.

Speaking with newsmen on why he decided to file a no-case submission after the close of the prosecution case, the defence counsel, Mr Abasiodiong Ekpenyong, said, “A no-case submission address is a position of the defence after the close of the case of the prosecution, stating two things;

“That the evidence led by the prosecution does not meet the requirement of law or if it does, it has been manifestly discredited under cross-examination so much so that no reasonable tribunal can proceed thereafter. That is the purpose of the no-case submission.”

Ekpenyong stressed that when a lawyer for a public interest-driven case as this decided not to cross-examine a witness, “something is fundamentally wrong on the grounds.”

“So, today as you have seen, they have fielded their witnesses, the four has concluded their evidence. As to the reason why some were not cross-examined, the case has been adjourned till February 24, so we await the reasons in my address.”

Reacting, the prosecution counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor said, “The defence counsel told the court that he will be making a no-case submission. The law provides for that, he has the right to first put in no case submission and when we get to that bridge we will cross it.

“We will make our responses to the court and we are confident that we are on very strong ground in this case.”