The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday displayed the sum of N111 million, which it claimed was recovered from officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The officials were arrested for allegedly accepting bribes to manipulate the December 10, 2016 Rivers State legislative re-run election.
According to the Police Investigative Panel led by a Commissioner of Police, Governor Nyesom Wike allegedly disbursed N360 million as inducement to about 23 INEC officials, three of whom reportedly collected their share directly from the governor at the Rivers State Government House.
In December 2016, Chronicles Reporters had released an audio recording in which Governor Wike was purportedly heard negotiating bribes with INEC staff. Although the governor denied the allegation, the voice in the tape arranged with officials to influence results in selected local government areas to favor the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Another audio clip published by Chronicles Reporters featured Governor Wike in conversation with then Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose. In the tape, both men mocked the Nigerian Army while Wike bragged about the chaos he allegedly caused during the election.
The recordings further revealed how Wike stormed a collation center in a bid to manipulate results in favor of his preferred candidates, while attempting to outmaneuver security personnel deployed to ensure credible polls in the state.
Following the release of the tapes, the police high command established a panel to conduct forensic tests on the recordings.
In a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Don Awunah, confirmed that Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris had directed that forensic experts be engaged to verify the authenticity of the tapes.
It was also disclosed that the police had written to telecommunication companies, requesting Governor Wike’s call records as part of the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, six police officers were paraded in connection with the electoral scandal. The officers, who were part of the governor’s convoy during the election, were accused of recklessly using their firearms in violation of Force Order 237.
So far, the Investigative Panel has yet to release its official findings. Governor Wike, however, has reacted by filing a lawsuit against the Nigeria Police Force in a bid to halt the probe. The police legal team, led by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, has opposed his efforts.
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Chronicles Reporters