The Independent National Electoral Commission will prosecute more than 200 people arrested for various electoral offences during the general elections that have just ended. Nigerian Police have already handed over 50 electoral crime files to the Electoral Commissioner.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, gave updates on the number of case files. INEC offices across the country have received many reports from the police. They have also handed over a number of electoral offenders to them. In an exclusive interview on Friday, he said –
“The commission has received over 50 case files from the police authorities. There are over 200 accused persons set for prosecution.
“The commission has directed its Litigation and Prosecution Department to study the files and advise it on the prosecution. The department has since commenced action and as soon as it finishes, it will revert to the commission accordingly.”
On March 13, 2023, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, directed commissioners of police in charge of state commands to ensure investigation in all cases of violation of the Electoral Act during the February 25, 2023, presidential and National Assembly polls.
The IG directed them to swiftly conclude the investigation and forward the case files to INEC for prosecution.
On March 14, the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission has set up its own legal team. The team is expected to deal with cases of electoral offenders. On March 28, Baba directed that all electoral offences case files should be submitted to the Commissioner of Police in charge of the legal unit. This, according to him, is to enable central collation and coordinated processing to the legal unit of INEC. This is in preparation for the commencement of the prosecution process.
He gave an assurance that the NPF would collaborate with INEC in ensuring that electoral offenders are booked. They will be expeditiously and transparently prosecuted. Not only in the interest of criminal justice but in furtherance of the police’s vision of sanitising its electoral space.
Additionally, Baba spoke about it at a meeting with strategic police managers of the NPF. It comprised deputy inspectors-general of police and members of the force management team, assistant inspector-general of police, and commissioners of police. As well as other tactical commanders in Abuja.
cc: Punch Ng
