The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that it is currently prosecuting no fewer than 774 electoral offenders linked to the 2023 general elections as part of efforts to uphold electoral integrity.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Friday during a consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja. He stressed the need for comprehensive electoral reforms, including the creation of a specialized Electoral Offences Tribunal to ensure swift justice in election-related cases.
Yakubu noted that successful convictions have already been secured in Kebbi and Kogi States, while INEC’s collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has led to prosecutions for vote-buying in Lagos, Kwara, and Gombe States. However, many cases remain pending due to delays in the judicial process.
Judicial Wins: Returning Officer Jailed for Election Fraud
In a landmark ruling, a Returning Officer in Akwa Ibom State, Professor Ignatius Uduk, was sentenced to three years in prison for publishing false election results and committing perjury. His conviction was hailed as a rare victory for electoral justice.
Speaking on the development, former Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Director General, Dr. Tonnie Iredia, commended the judges who presided over the case, stating that fairness in election-related rulings remains a challenge in Nigeria’s judiciary.
“It is frustrating when people we consider credible, such as university professors, behave like political thugs and undermine the voting process,” Iredia said during an Arise Television interview. He also criticized the practice of appointing politically affiliated individuals to INEC, arguing that it compromises the commission’s neutrality.
Call for Electoral Reforms and Special Tribunal
Highlighting the difficulties in prosecuting electoral crimes, Prof. Yakubu lamented that cases often drag on for years, making it difficult to ensure timely justice.
“The successful prosecution of a Returning Officer in Akwa Ibom took nearly six years. Electoral offences are not time-bound like post-election cases handled by tribunals, making it difficult to achieve swift justice,” he explained.
To address these challenges, INEC is advocating for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal, which would have exclusive jurisdiction and a fixed timeframe for handling election-related cases.
Yakubu called on the media to support this push for reforms, emphasizing that strengthening electoral laws is crucial for safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
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