The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested 14 people for alleged vote buying during the governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states on Saturday.
In a statement posted on X, the commission said the suspects were arrested during operations across voting centres in the three states.
They were said to have been nabbed based on intelligence gathered before the polls, according to EFCC.
Read also
- Sen Melaye boycotts voting, calls for cancellation in 5 LGAs
- Gov polls: CDD decries vote-buying, violence in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi
- IGP Orders Probe into NLC President’s reported Assault
The anti-graft agency said a total of N11.04 million cash was recovered from the apprehended vote buyers and sellers.
This includes N9.31 million intercepted in Bayelsa and N1.73 million seized in Imo.
Two vehicles were also impounded from the suspects, who were mostly arrested around polling units and playgrounds being used as vote trading centers.
The EFCC stated that the 14 detainees will be charged to court after investigations are completed.
The commission said the arrests were part of efforts to tackle electoral malpractices including vote buying that could undermine the integrity of the off-cycle governorship elections.
The statement reads, “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 14 suspected vote buyers in Otuoke, Adawari playgrounds in Bayelsa State and at various polling units in Imo and Kogi States.
“They were arrested on Saturday, November 11, 2023 in intelligence-driven operations that commenced several days before the ongoing governorship elections in the three states.
“Also, a total sum of N11,040,000 comprising N9,310,000 intercepted from suspected vote buyers and sellers in Bayelsa and N1,730,000 intercepted from electoral fraud suspects across Imo State, were also recovered from them.
“Also, two vehicles were intercepted from the suspects. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
INEC Suspends elections in 9 wards
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended elections in nine electoral wards in Kogi State, citing reports of electoral malpractice.
The nine wards are in the Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of the state. They are Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu.
This was contained in a statement by the National Commissioner & Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, released on Saturday night.
“The Commission has received reports from our officials in Kogi State on incidences of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting.
“Reports indicate that the incidents occurred in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene Local Government Areas. The most serious incidents occurred in Ogori/Magongo, affecting nine of 10 Registration Areas.
“This is entirely unacceptable. Any result not emanating from the Commission’s process in the Polling Units will not be accepted,” the statement partly read.
It added, “The Commission is determined not to reward bad behaviour. Consequently, the election in the nine Wards in Ogori/Magongo LGA (Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu) is at this moment suspended. The incidences in the other Local Government Areas are being thoroughly investigated, and the outcome, including the way forward, will be announced in the next 24 hours.
<p style=”box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: “Open Sans”; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; font-size: 17px; line-height: 26.35px; color: rgb(51, 51,
