ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Bar Association said it has commenced the prosecution of some staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political party members indicted for various electoral offences during the 2023 general elections.
This is Following the February 25, 2023, presidential and National Assembly elections that were surrounded by violence and other electoral malpractices.
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The immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, said over 700 offenders were arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force for violating electoral laws.
INEC had on May 2, 2023, announced that it would prosecute 215 handed over to it out of the 774 persons arrested for various electoral offences by the NPF during the polls.
According to the commission, it was partnering with the NBA, which offered pro bono legal services for the effective prosecution of the electoral offenders.
Out of the 215 case files received by the commission, 196 cases are electoral offences and are being handled by INEC and the NBA.
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The National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Habeeb Lawal, told Punch that 196 suspects, including INEC officials and members of political parties, were being prosecuted for various electoral offences.
They include; vote-buying, arms possession, and others committed during the 2023 poll. Punch
Note that electoral offences remain a major threat to credible, free, and fair elections in Nigeria, as they often heighten political tension and trigger violence.