2015: EFCC report indicts 100 INEC staff – Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has confirmed that it is currently reviewing an interim report of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), involving the conduct of over 100 of its staff in the 2015 general elections.

Chairman of the Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, stated this on Monday at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room stakeholders forum in Abuja.

According to the INEC boss, the report cuts across the Commission’s staff in 17 states of the Federation, adding that “In one state, virtually all the officials heading our local government offices were involved and returned money”.

He assured that the electoral body will take administrative action against those found culpable, while the anti-corruption agency would prosecute the indicted officials.

“Two weeks ago, we received the interim report of the EFCC of the involvement of our staff in shaddy deals in the 2015 general elections covering 17 states of the Federation.

“The interim report involves over 100 of our own staff. And we have commenced a review of the report. And we shall make this public. We shall take administrative action on those who are found culpable, while the EFCC will go ahead and prosecute them.

“From the report we have seen so far, some of them have returned money as an admission of guilt. In fact, in one state, virtually all the officials heading our local government offices were involved and returned money. So, this is a matter that we can never sweep under the carpet. And for as long as we don’t deal with this kind of infractions, they will continue,” Mahmood told the stakeholders.

He also disclosed that the Commission is also investigating the involvement of its officials in the just concluded rerun elections in Rivers State.

Justifying the decision of the Commission not to postpone the Ondo governorship election, he cited similar instances in the 2011 governorship elections in Kano, Katsina States, the guber poll in Anambra State where new candidates were recognised by the appelate courts on the eve of elections but the exercise went ahead as scheduled.

“Early in the new year, we intend to have a major conversation with the judiciary on this matter,” he disclosed.

He also revealed that the Commission has started preparations for Diaspora Voting in case the National Assembly amends the nation’s laws to accommodate it.

He also stated that in January next year, the Commission will begin validation processes involving all stakeholders to review the Strategic Plan that will lead to the 2019 general elections. “The review is virtually ready”.

In his presentation, Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Abubakar Kyari, assured that amended Electoral Act in the upper legislative chamber will be ready in the first quarter of 2017.

The senator revealed that out of 25 clauses for amendment, 18 amendments have completed so far, adding that the remaining six amendments will be completed when the Senate resumes by January 10, 2017.

Declaring the event opened, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, assured that the Buhari administration would implement the report of the Ken Nnamani-led Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee, ‘very swiftly’.

Represented by Mohammed Umar, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Malami said this is the first major step in series of reforms to be carried out to advance Nigeria’s electoral environment.

Giving highlights of the Rivers State rerun elections, the Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo called for the investigation into violence, intimidation and bribery in relation to control of results from the Rivers poll, noting that serious and credible allegations have been made against both major political parties.