The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has responded to recent criticisms regarding the delay in prosecuting electoral offenders from the 2023 general elections. In a statement released Wednesday by Sam Olumekun, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC highlighted the actions it has undertaken to ensure those involved in election irregularities are held accountable.
According to the statement, key obstacles hindering effective prosecution include the constitutional immunity granted to state governors and their deputies, outdated electoral laws, and a shortage of personnel. These factors, INEC says, complicate efforts to bring suspected violators to justice.
INEC refuted allegations by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that it has deliberately neglected to prosecute electoral offenders. SERAP accused the commission of failing to hire independent counsels to prosecute governors and deputy governors implicated in electoral law violations, as well as private lawyers to pursue cases of vote-buying. INEC countered that these claims are “false and inaccurate,” stressing that the immunity provision for governors and deputies is enshrined in the Constitution.
The commission further explained that no governor or deputy governor has been formally arrested or investigated to the point where a prosecutable case has been established. INEC also disclosed that, following the 2023 elections, it received 215 case files from the Nigeria Police, covering incidents involving over 700 alleged offenders. These cases include 238 suspects from the Presidential and National Assembly elections and 536 from the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
Additionally, INEC emphasized its commitment to accountability within its ranks. It noted that some INEC officials, including a Resident Electoral Commissioner currently facing trial in a High Court in Yola, have been subjected to prosecution due to alleged involvement in electoral violations.
To strengthen its efforts, INEC collaborated with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by its former president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN). This partnership has mobilized several legal professionals who volunteered to assist in prosecuting electoral offenders nationwide.
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