The University of Uyo Lecturer, Prof Ignatius Uduk, who is standing trial for alleged electoral malpractice when he served as Returning Officer for Essien Udim Local Government Area in 2019, on Wednesday collapsed in the dock.

He was then rushed out of the court.

The incident happened after the don’s lawyer, Abasiodiong Ekpenyong, had opened his defence with a first witness, one Innocent Emile, who identified himself as his nephew.

When the prosecuting counsel, Clement Onwuenweunor, was concluding his cross-examination of the witness, causing the court to go on recess following some stir.

While some lawyers alerted the judiciary clinic to get a stretcher after his collapse, his wife and daughter moved him and drove out to a yet-to-be-disclosed location before the lawyers returned.

Before the incident, the presiding Judge, Justice Bassey Nkanag, had on many occasions asked him to sit but he declined.

His lawyer also informed the judge had also asked Prof Ignatius Uduk to sit but he refused until he fell.

While the case has been adjourned to Thursday for continuation, INEC’s lawyer, Onwuenweunor, told journalists that the incident will not affect the outcome of the case even as they expressed concern about the don’s health condition.

Defence counsel, Ekpenyong declined to speak with the press.

Prof Uduk is the second university don to be protected by INEC for electoral malpractice.

The first, Prof Peter Ogban, had earlier been sentenced to three years imprisonment for electoral fraud.

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