INEC Refutes SERAP’s Accusations on Prosecution of Electoral Offenders

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied accusations from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, ignored a court order regarding the prosecution of electoral offenders.

In a statement released Wednesday in Abuja, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, addressed the allegations, which stemmed from media reports in which SERAP claimed the Commission failed to prosecute individuals involved in electoral offenses during the 2023 General Election.

SERAP had alleged that INEC neglected to appoint independent counsels to prosecute unnamed governors and deputy governors for various electoral law violations, including vote buying.

INEC, however, dismissed these claims as baseless, highlighting that governors and deputy governors are protected by constitutional immunity from prosecution, a provision SERAP should be aware of.

INEC further clarified that it had not received any record of arrests or investigations establishing a prima facie case against any of the officials in question.

The Commission also pointed out that, contrary to SERAP’s claims, it had taken action following the 2023 election, receiving 215 case files from the Nigeria Police, which include 52 files involving 238 suspects from the Presidential and National Assembly elections and 163 files concerning 536 suspects from the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

INEC reiterated its commitment to prosecuting electoral offenders, noting that it has not limited its actions to outsiders; even Commission officials, including a Resident Electoral Commissioner currently facing trial in a Yola High Court, have been subject to prosecution.