The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has countered allegations from the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) claiming that its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disregarded a court order related to prosecuting electoral offenders.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, INEC National Commissioner Sam Olumekun responded to media reports based on SERAP’s accusations of the Commission’s failure to prosecute offenders stemming from the 2023 General Election.
SERAP specifically pointed out INEC’s failure to appoint independent legal counsel to pursue cases against unnamed Governors and Deputy Governors for various electoral violations, as well as its lack of action against other electoral offenses like vote buying. INEC refuted these allegations, asserting that they are untrue and unsupported by available facts.
The Commission reminded that Governors and Deputy Governors are constitutionally immune from prosecution, indicating that SERAP should know this fact. INEC also clarified that it has no records of any arrests or investigations that would lead to a prima facie case for prosecution.
Additionally, INEC mentioned that after the 2023 General Election, it received 215 case files from the Nigeria Police regarding alleged electoral law violations, including 52 files related to 238 offenders from the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and 163 files concerning 536 suspects from the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
INEC reiterated its commitment to prosecuting electoral offenders, which includes holding accountable its own officials, some of whom are currently undergoing prosecution, including a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) facing charges in a High Court in Yola.