A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has ordered the arrest of Professor Ignatius Uduk, a lecturer at the University of Uyo, for failing to appear in court during the delivery of judgment in his election fraud case. Uduk, who served as the returning officer for Essien Udim State Constituency during the 2019 general elections, faces charges of perjury and the illegal publication of false results.

The case, prosecuted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has seen multiple delays. On Wednesday, when the professor and his counsel failed to appear for the scheduled judgment, the court adjourned for an hour. The defense counsel later informed the judge that he was unwell and had communicated this via text, asking another lawyer to represent him temporarily.

The prosecution, led by Clement Onwuenweunor, requested that the professor’s bail be revoked, and a fresh bench warrant be issued for his arrest. The court accepted the prosecution’s request, acknowledging that it had received medical reports concerning Uduk’s health issues but deciding that the trial should proceed.

Justice Bassey Nkanang granted the request, revoking the professor’s earlier bail and issuing a new arrest warrant. The case has been adjourned to February 5 for judgment.

Uduk, who was initially arraigned in December 2020, has repeatedly failed to attend hearings, which led to an earlier arrest warrant. Despite pleading not guilty to the charges, the case has experienced multiple delays, including a change of defense counsel and Uduk collapsing during cross-examination in a previous session.