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Govt begins prosecution of INEC officials, others for electoral fraud
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The Federal Government through the Nigerian Bar Association has commenced the prosecution of some staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission and political party members indicted for various electoral offences during the 2023 general elections.
Electoral offences remain a major threat to credible, free and fair elections in Nigeria, as they often heighten political tension and trigger violence.
Following the February 25, 2023, presidential and National Assembly elections, 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, said it would prosecute 215 handed over to it out of the 774 persons arrested for various electoral offences by the NPF during the polls.
The commission said 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.
The National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Habeeb Lawal, told our correspondent on Friday that 196 suspects, including INEC officials and members of political parties, were being prosecuted for various electoral offences such as vote-buying, arms possession, and others committed during the 2023 poll.
Lawal noted that the prosecution was being carried out in magistrates’ courts and the high courts of the states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He explained, “A total of 196 suspects are being prosecuted for various offences by volunteering members of the Nigerian Bar Association, who are handling the cases pro bono.
“The offences range from dereliction of duty, criminal conspiracy and disorderly conduct at election venues, unlawful possession of arms on election day, snatching and destroying of INEC materials, electoral malpractices, unlawful possession of election materials, voter inducement and vote-buying, malicious damage and assault, and electoral violence.
“Some of the suspects are INEC officials, while others are political party members and people without determinable political affiliations.
“The magistrates’ courts and the high courts of the states and the FCT have jurisdiction over electoral offences by virtue of the Electoral Act.
“Therefore, the offences are being prosecuted by our members in these different courts all over the country, as there is hardly anyone state of the federation that the prosecution is not ongoing.”
When asked what impact the prosecution would have on future elections, the publicity secretary noted, “We believe that successful prosecution of electoral offenders will deter people desperate to assume political offices.
“We are hopeful that this modest effort will positively impact and sanitise our electoral system and culture.”
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated that the commission would not condone bad behaviour, adding that future offenders would be held accountable for their actions.
Oyekanmi said, “By engaging in the commendable collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association to jointly prosecute electoral offenders, the Independent National Electoral Commission is reinforcing its resolve not to condone bad behaviour.
“It is also our strong message to aspiring offenders that they will be held accountable for their actions.
“While we have achieved some measure of success in prosecuting electoral offenders in the past, the NBA’s offer to assist us pro bono will further widen the scope and serve as a deterrent to others.”
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Rafsanjani, stated that Nigeria would be free from election violence and corruption if electoral offenders were dealt with.
He stated, “As a way of sanitising the electoral process, there must be sanctions or penalties for people who break our law.
“Political parties will warn their members and supporters to stay off violence to avoid rubbishing the image of the parties once they are aware of the consequences of committing electoral offences.
“Nigeria will be free from manipulation, election violence, and corruption.”
A legal practitioner, Victor Giwa, said prosecuting electoral offenders would discourage election irregularities and produce credible leadership.
Giwa explained, “People prepare for rigging elections. They budget money for getting thugs, and bribing security agencies and INEC officials because these offenders are not prosecuted.
“But when Nigeria starts prosecuting electoral offenders, it will discourage election irregularities and reduce electoral offences. It will help to provide proper and credible leadership.
“When electoral offenders are not prosecuted, it reduces confidence in the electoral process.”
Reacting to the development, a rights activist and Chancellor, International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, Jackson Omenazu, said since it had become the norm for electoral offenders to rob the citizens, deny them their rights as stated in the Electoral Act, and violate the electoral laws of the country, the arrested offenders should be severely punished irrespective of their personality.
According to him, electoral offenders have gone scot-free over the years, adding that their proper prosecution would deliver a balanced electoral process in the country.
He said, “No armed robber can rob 10,000 persons at a stretch. An INEC official with criminal intentions can rob one million people at a stretch and get away with it and one of the biggest problems we have in this country today is that electoral offenders have gone scot-free all these years.
“These things are criminal and honestly, until electoral offenders are punished severely, we will not get a balanced electoral process in this country no matter who is involved. My advice to the media is that they should escalate the matter so there won’t be any chance for them to sweep it under the carpet.”
Also commenting, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afam Osigwe, explained that the most important thing was to show Nigerians that there were consequences for all actions, adding that for the electoral process to have integrity, the arrested electoral offenders should be properly prosecuted.
He added that actions must be matched with words by ensuring that those who adhered to the electoral law and process had their gains in court, while offenders found culpable should be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Osigwe said, “I do not know who is involved but the important thing for me is that Nigeria must show that actions must have consequences and that for our electoral process to have integrity, those who are apprehended for all manners of electoral malpractices or offences should be prosecuted.
We should match action with words by ensuring that people who try to support the electoral process have their gain in court and that the full weight of the law is brought against those who are found culpable.
“We must show that we are a nation ruled by law and that the full weight of our law must be brought against those who breach them. For me, that is the important message that you will be passing if this prosecution is successfully carried out.”
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President Tinubu Speaks On Ajuri Ngelale’s Indefinite Leave Request
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has endorsed Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, indefinite leave request.
Recall Ngelale, in a statement on Saturday, announced an indefinite leave of absence.
He proceeded on the leave to attend to pressing medical matters affecting his immediate family.
In a statement he posted on his general communication WhatsApp platform on Saturday, Ngelale revealed that he submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff on Friday.
He noted that the memo was a means of notifying him of the decision to pause his functions, including his roles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
Ngelale explained that the decision was after consultations with his family due to a worsening medical situation at home.
He expressed hope to return to full-time national service when circumstances permit.
In a statement posted on X by Tinubu’s Special Assistant on New Media, Olusegun Dada and signed by the Presidency, Tinubu approved Ngelale’s request.
Tinubu stated that he fully understands his Chief spokesperson’s reason and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.
The statement read: “The President has received the memo from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President as well as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, informing of his decision to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence for personal and health reasons.
“The President accepts his reasons for the leave, fully understands them and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.
“While extending his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Chief Ngelale and his family during this challenging moment, the President hopes for a speedy recovery and full restoration to health.
“The President notes his tireless efforts and dedication in serving the nation, and thanks him for the remarkable contributions he made in his various capacities, especially in advancing national discourse and leading efforts on climate action and other key initiatives.
“The President wishes him well in all his future endeavors.
“During this period, we kindly ask that the wish for privacy of Chief Ngelale and his family be respected.”
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Confusion As FG Denies Ownership Of Yacht Spotted In France With Nigerian Flag
![](https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot_20240907-235621.png)
…says it belongs to an undisvcosed private individual
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The presidency, on Saturday, denied ownership of a yacht spotted hoisting Nigerian flag in St-Tropez, a coastal town in France.
There had been reports of a “presidential yacht belonging to the Nigerian government being used for vacation at St Tropez” on social media.
Senior Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on digital and new media, Otega Ogra, in a post on X, said the yacht belongs to a private individual.
The presidential aide said flags used by the president or armed forces do not contain the coat of arms like the one on the yacht.
Ogra said on Saturday, “There have been false claims circulating that a private individual’s yacht was spotted in St. Tropez is a Nigerian government yacht. Here are some points to consider in order to discern the truth.
“The 42m Bennetti yacht currently being shared online has been privately owned for around 5 years since it was constructed.
It is important to note that this specific yacht has no connection or ownership ties to the Nigerian government, president or armed forces. Any claims or assertions suggesting otherwise are simply not true and inaccurate.
“It is not uncommon for luxury yachts to fly the flag of the owner’s country as well as the flag of the country in which they are registered.
“The official Nigerian flag is Green-White-Green without a coat of arms in the middle. Flags representing the Nigerian President or the Armed Forces do not contain a coat of arms in the center. Placing anything in the center of the flag is a clear deviation
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Constituency Devt: Senator Manu fulfils promise, installs solar energy as alternative source of power for constituents(Photos)
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a bid to enhance better life for his constituents, Senator Manu Haruna has facilatated installation of solar energy in Takalafiya community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Senator Manu who represents Taraba Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly fulfilled his promise of ensuring the energy needs of his constituents are adequately taken care of.
This initiative reflects his unwavering commitment to addressing the energy needs of his constituents by providing a reliable and sustainable power source.
The solar energy project is expected to improve the quality of life in the community, enabling access to electricity for homes, schools, and local businesses, while also promoting environmental sustainability.
This project is part of Senator Haruna’s broader efforts to enhance infrastructure and development in Taraba Central.
Manu is also working tirelessly to make sure areas not connected to the national grid are connected within the shortest period possible.
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