Polls: EFCC arrests over 65 people for alleged voter inducement
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested over 65 persons across the 28 states where governorship and state assembly elections were conducted on Saturday.
The Commission, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said the arrests were carried out across states for offences involving allegations of voter buying.
The arrests cast a sharp contrast against the current naira scarcity in the country as a result of the CBN redesigning of the old naira notes of N200, N500, and N1,000.
Although the CBN has reversed its policy by directing banks to accept the old notes, many Nigerians still find it difficult to find cash.
According to the Commission, twenty of the suspects were arrested by operatives from the Ilorin Zonal Command, while 13 suspects were nabbed by operatives on election monitoring duty at the Kaduna Zonal Command.
The teams monitoring the polls in the Port Harcourt Zone arrested a total of 12 people for various offences bordering on inducing voters with money to vote for their preferred candidates, while the Uyo Zonal Command made 4 arrests in Calabar. The remaining suspects were arrested in Gombe, Sokoto, kebbi and Niger states.
The EFCC disclosed that the suspects arrested for vote buying in Kaduna, consist of 10 males and 3 females. The anti-graft authority further explained that the suspects were apprehended by operatives working on intelligence during the monitoring exercise.
“A suspect allegedly involved in vote buying was nabbed at School Road, Unguwan Rimi Kaduna. The suspect who initially resisted arrest, is however in custody, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
“In Kaduna, the Commission said the team headed by ACE II Esmond Garba arrested a suspect named Buhari Muhammed in PU 002 Dogara Yaro Dagari area.
“He was arrested with Voter Coupons, which he confessed would be used to trace and pay those who voted for his party.
“Furthermore, the team monitoring the voting exercise around LEA Kabala Doki, Kaduna led by CSE Wakilu Omokide also arrested two individuals suspected of vote buying. Upon their arrest, a total sum of N67,500, a list containing names of voters with their PVC numbers and their bank account detail,s amongst others, were recovered from them,” he said.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Focus on criminals, stop targeting journalists, CPJ tells Nigerian security agencies
She also pointed out harsh bail requirements imposed on journalists, describing Mr Ugagbe’s bail conditions as “utterly punitive.”
Education
Tinubu upgrades Nasarawa poly to university
Mr Onanuga said the approval followed a proposal by Senator Ahmed Aliyu, who represents the Nasarawa West Senatorial District.
Lagos
Lagos govt signs agreement to automate vehicle registration
Mr Osiyemi said the initiative would simplify and speed up vehicle registration by eliminating cumbersome processes.
States
Three rescued, one body recovered as building collapses in Kano
The PRO attributed the collapse to the use of poor and substandard building materials.
NationWide
FG calls for stronger African collaboration to combat illicit wealth, transnational corruption
Mr Fagbemi added that the recovery and transparent management of proceeds of crime remained a key pillar of the country’s anti-corruption policy.
Heading 2
FG reiterates commitment to ensuring safe return of Nigerians from South Africa
“The last evacuation flight, which is expected to bring home approximately 300 of our nationals, is expected to arrive in Nigeria next week,” Mr Ebienfa said.
