INEC prosecuting 774 electoral offenders from 2023 elections – Yakubu

Yakubu made this disclosure today during a routine quarterly consultative meeting with the media at INEC Headquarters in Abuja.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to continuously enhancing the electoral process.

According to Yakubu, the recent governorship election in Ondo State has been widely recognized as an improvement, particularly in logistics management and the performance of election technology.

He further highlighted the judicial and legislative actions taken in recent days, emphasizing INEC’s commitment to addressing electoral offences, particularly those involving its officials.

Citing a recent case, Yakubu noted the successful prosecution of a Returning Officer in Akwa Ibom State—a case stemming from the 2019 general election that took nearly six years to reach a conviction at the trial court. He credited INEC’s collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for facilitating the prosecution of 774 alleged offenders from the 2023 elections.

“So far, successful convictions have been recorded in Kebbi and Kogi States, while our partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has also yielded results in vote-buying cases in Lagos, Kwara, and Gombe States. However, many cases remain pending,” he stated.

Yakubu identified a major challenge in prosecuting electoral offences—the lack of a time-bound legal framework, unlike post-election tribunal cases. He explained that these offences are prosecuted exclusively by Magistrate and State High Courts in the respective jurisdictions where they occur, often receiving no priority due to the courts’ extensive caseloads.

“As a result, electoral offences from one general election sometimes carry over into the next, which can hinder effective prosecution,” he added.

Reiterating the need for reform, Yakubu once again called for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal with a specific jurisdiction and a limited timeframe to ensure the swift resolution of cases.

“I urge the media to support this patriotic advocacy for the advancement of our electoral democracy,” he said