BY Bolanle Olabimtan
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate allegations of electoral offences against governors and their deputies.
In a letter dated March 25 and addressed to Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP deputy director, said Section 52 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act allows INEC to appoint an independent counsel to probe the conduct of politicians.
The SERAP director said the counsel will be saddled with investigating allegations of electoral violence and other electoral offences such as bribery “that may have been committed by any state governors and/or their deputies”.
He said if INEC fails to carry out the investigation, SERAP would initiate legal action against the electoral commission.
“INEC should promptly collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other law enforcement agencies to identify any politicians and their sponsors suspected to be responsible for electoral violence and other electoral offences during the elections,” Oluwadare said.
“By allegedly engaging in electoral violence and other electoral offences in so blatant a fashion, suspected perpetrators and their sponsors have clearly acted in violation of constitutional provisions, international standards and the Electoral Act.
“Identifying, arresting, investigating and prosecuting those suspected of perpetrating electoral violence and other electoral offences during the 2023 general elections would act as a deterrent against electoral violence in future elections.
“We would be grateful if immediate steps are taken to implement the recommended measures within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
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