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2023 Gov Elections: EFCC Arrests 65 Persons For Alleged Vote-buying

Published

1 year ago

March 18, 2023

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arrested no fewer than 65 persons over alleged vote-buying, across the 28 states where governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections were conducted.

The Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

According to the agency, 20 of the suspects were arrested by operatives from the Ilorin Zonal Command while 13 suspects were nabbed by operatives on election monitoring duty at the Kaduna Zonal Command.

Uwujaren stated that the teams monitoring the polls in the Port Harcourt Zone arrested a total of 12 people for various offences bordering on inducing voters with money to vote for their preferred candidates, while the Uyo Zonal Command made four arrests in Calabar, adding that the remaining suspects were arrested in Gombe, Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger states.

He noted that those arrested in Kaduna consist of 10 males and three females, adding that they were apprehended by operatives working on intelligence.

Uwujaren said, “A suspect allegedly involved in vote buying was nabbed at School Road, Unguwan Rimi Kaduna. The suspect who initially resisted arrest, is however in custody, pending the conclusion of the investigation.

“Also in Kaduna, the tẹam led by Esmond Garba arrested one Buhari Muhammed in PU 002 Dogara Yaro Dagari area. He was arrested with voter coupons, which he confessed would be used to trace and pay those who voted for his party.

“Furthermore, the team monitoring the voting exercise around LEA Kabala Doki, Kaduna led by CSE Wakilu Omokide also arrested two individuals suspected of vote buying. Upon their arrest, a total sum of N67, 500, a list containing names of voters with their PVC numbers and their bank account details amongst others, were recovered from them.”

The spokesperson for the anti-graft agency noted that the investigation so far revealed that the major modus operandi of the suspects is to give cash, transfer money, coupons, and send recharge cards to eligible voters in order to induce them to vote for their candidates.

“A search of their persons and phones revealed that most of them had transferred money into the accounts of some voters on the lists recovered from them. Some of the items recovered from the suspects include voter cards, monies, list containing names and account details of voters. Others are recharge cards,” he said.

“In the same vein, officers of the Kaduna Command also arrested two persons in Niger State for alleged vote buying. The first suspect, one Umar Ibrahim, was arrested at Peter Sarki Road polling unit based on intelligence.

“Upon searching his vehicle, an INEC ID tag (domestic election observer) bearing his name and photograph and also a letter of appointment from BOS ( Bago Support Organisation) as Director Liaison, were uncovered. On further inquiry, he disclosed that a certain Mr. Usman Mohammed, who belongs to his political party gave him the INEC ID tag

“The second suspect, Isa Salihu Bababida, was arrested at Unguwar Nassarawa with several lists of names, account numbers and BVN,” Uwujaren added.

He further revealed that in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, the election monitoring teams arrested 10 suspects alleged to be involved in voter inducement at Moscow Road, Elekahia, Township, Mile 2, Ward 2 polling Unit 2 and 30, Ogbum, Phalga, Port Harcourt.

According to him, the suspects were arrested with A4 papers that had names, telephone and account numbers of persons suspected to be voters. Also two youths who were alleged to be involved in voter inducement were arrested at Ward 2 Polling Unit 2 and 30, Ogbum, PHALGA, Port Harcourt City.

The EFCC PRO further noted that the four persons arrested at different locations in Calabar by the team from Uyo Zonal Command, led by Binta Rano, volunteered their statements at the Criminal Investigation Department, Cross River State Police Command.

He added, “The team arrested one Esther Edem, the Woman Leader of one of the political parties for Ward 11, Calabar South, Cross River State and two others, Edet Etim and Asanwana Eyo, for alleged vote buying in Calabar.

“The Woman Leader, who had a list of suspected voters, their account numbers and thousands of Naira in cash was apprehended inside an uncompleted building, beside her ward in Calabar South, while Etim and Eyo were arrested at Ward 12, Unit 11, at Kings Memorial School by Inyang Street, Abasi Obori, Calabar South.

“The duo of Etim and Eyo had with them their own lists and money they allegedly used in buying vote.”

Uwujaren also noted that the 20 suspects arrested by the Ilorin Zonal Command are Adekunle Ademola, Wasiu Raimi, Laaro Rasheed, Alagbe Taiwo, Boniface Victory, Kayode Toba, Adeoye Adetunji, Lawal Favour, Abidoye Moradeyo, Magaji Iliasu, Abdulkadir Abdulmumini and Musa Olasunkanmi.

Others are Marudeen Sadiq, Abogunrin Oluwasesan, Funmilayo Lawal, Olawuyi Bolarin, Garuba Ismail, Abiola Abogunrin, Amidu Tiamiyu and Usman Abdulazeez.

“The suspects who were arrested at different polling units across the state, were caught with incriminating items including cash of various sums, notebook containing list of voters names, POS machine, mobile phones and voter cards, among others.

“Upon interrogation, some of the suspects identified themselves as party agents while some admitted distributing money to induce voters.” He said.

Meanwhile, EFCC PRO further added that in Gombe, the Gombe Zonal Command led by Faruk Dogondaji, made 10 arrests over alleged voters’ inducement, and recovered 43 pieces of wrappers and N1, 923,900 in cash.

He, however, noted that investigations are still ongoing to determine the culpability of each suspect.

News

UNIOSUN Appoints First Female Registrar In 18 Years

Published

7 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Editor

The Governing Council of Osun State University on Friday announced the appointment of Mrs. Atinuke Oguntunde as the institution’s third substantive Registrar.

Oguntunde’s appointment, being the first female to be appointed Registrar was coming after 18 years of the establishment of the university.

The institution was established by the Osun State Government during the administration of Olagunsoye Oyinlola on December 21, 2006 and it has had two substantive male Registrars.

Also appointed were; Mr. Muideen Lasisi, who got appointed as the 3rd substantive Bursar, and Dr. Olugbenga Adewuyi, who was appointed 3rd substantive university Librarian.

A release issued by the University’s Public Relations’ Officer, Ademola Adesoji, further disclosed that the appointments were approved by the Governing Council at its special meeting on Friday, following the completion of the selection processes and the recommendations of the Selection Panel.

Giving further details about the appointees, Adesoji said, “Mrs. Atinuke Oguntunde (native of Ilesha), the newly appointed Registrar, will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. Previously serving as the Deputy Registrar and College Secretary at the University’s College of Health Sciences. Mrs. Oguntunde has demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication throughout her services in the University system.

“Her academic qualifications include a B.A.(Ed.) in English Education from the University of Ilorin and an M.A. in Literature in English from the same institution.

“Mr. Muideen Akintayo Lasisi (native of Ido-Osun) was until his appointment a Deputy Bursar at the National Open University of Nigeria. With a career spanning over two decades in finance and accounting, Mr. Lasisi’s appointment underscores UNIOSUN’s commitment to financial prudence and accountability. He holds academic qualifications including an HND in Accountancy from Osun State Polytechnic, a B.Sc. in Accounting from the University of Lagos, and an M.Sc. in Entrepreneurship from the National Open University of Nigeria.

“Dr. Olugbenga Wale Adewuyi (native of Ila Orangun), the newly appointed University Librarian, will bring his wealth of academic and professional experience to his new role. Dr. Adewuyi is renowned for his scholarly contributions and commitment to advancing library sciences and administration. He holds academic qualifications that include a B.A. in Dramatic Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University, an M.Sc. in Library Studies from the University of Ibadan and a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from Babcock University.”

UNIOSUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Clement Adebooye, while reacting to the appointments, stated that it marked a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and institutional advancement.
PUNCH

News

Alaafin: Kingmakers Appeal As Court Strikes Out Case Against Makinde

Published

7 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Editor

Oyo State High Court sitting in Awe, Oyo State, has struck out a case filed by the Oyo kingmakers ( Oyo Mesi) against the state governor, Seyi Makinde, the state Attorney General and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters on the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo over administrative defect.

The PUNCH reports that the stool became vacant after the death of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who died at the age of 82 and ruled for 52 years.

The claimants in the suit no HOY/14/2023 are the Bashorun of Oyo, Chief Yusuf Layinka; Lagunna of Oyo, Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; Akinniku of Oyo, Chief Amusa Yusuf; Areago Bashorun, Chief Wahab Oyetunji and the Alapo of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.

They were seeking court injunction restraining Makinde and his agents from overruling their choice on the selected candidate for the vacant stool.

According to them, “due diligence was followed in the selection/appointment of the candidate for filling the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo duly conducted by the kingmakers of Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy.”

While ruling on the notice of preliminary objection as filed by the defendants, on Tuesday, Justice Ladiran Akintola said there was no proof of service to notify the governor of the outcome of the selection process as carried out by the kingmakers.

The failure to serve the notice of the outcome on the governor thereby affects the substantive case, and as such, the case was struck out.

It was stated in the ruling that, “This court found merit in the Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by the defendants/applicants against the claimants/respondents in this case.

“The same succeeds, accordingly all the issues raised for determination of this court by learned counsel on both sides are thereby resolved in favour of the defendants/applicants but against the claimants/respondents.

“Consequently, the suit initiated by the claimants/respondents in this case against the defendants/applicants is thereby struck out.”

In a telephone interview with The PUNCH, on Friday, the lead counsel for the claimants, Kunle Sobaloju (SAN) said a notice of appeal and motion for injunction pending an appeal have been filed at the Court of Appeal and Oyo High Court, respectively.

Commenting on the judgment, Sobaloju said the judgment that was passed, on Tuesday, was on a preliminary objection filed by the defendant which is the Governor of Oyo State, Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

He said, “By that preliminary objection after we filed our case which they challenged against on the ground that we did not comply with the condition precedence of filing an action of that nature.

“According to them, what was the condition precedence, they said the Secretary of the Local Government, Atiba Local Government did not notify the governor of the Oyo Mesi on the selection of Prince Lukman Gbadegesin as the candidate to fill the stool of Alaafin of Oyo.

“Our response to that objection is to the effect that that duty is imposed on by the law, that is Section 19 of the Chieftancy Law on the Secretary to the Local Government and not on the kingmakers and we exhibited evidence that the kingmakers forwarded their decision to the Secretary of Atiba Local Government.

“We also exhibited a letter from the Secretary of Atiba Local Government acknowledged by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. That is the only means to which the governor can be involved. You can not go to the governor and serve him directly.

“We also argued that even the issue is an issue of evidence that the governor can only prove whether he was served or not with proof of evidence. It is not the issue that the court can determine by way of preliminary objection.

“However, it is the failure to serve the notice of the decision of the kingmakers on the governor that affects our case, and as such, it was struck out.

“We have filed a notice of appeal and motion for injunction pending an appeal. What was considered on Tuesday was the notice for preliminary objection. The merit of the case is yet to be considered.”

News

Drama As Two Ebonyi Commissioners Fight In Public

Published

7 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Editor

Two commissioners from Ebonyi State reportedly fought shamelessly in public during the defection ceremony of chieftains of the PDP into the APC held at Ebiaji, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The two commissioners Victor Chukwu, Commissioner for Environment and Jude Okpor, the Commissioner for Information, engaged in the fight which attracted the attention of the state party chieftains from the area.

An eyewitness who identified his name as Nwite told Vanguard that the two commissioners, not minding their social status, engaged themselves in fierce fight which took the intervention of some stakeholders and security agents to stop the fight.

“Nobody told me anything about it. I saw everything myself. I don’t know the cause of their fight but they fought and this is the 5th fight between them”, he aid.

“As a leader of thought in my place, this is embarrassing to me, our people and the people of Ebonyi State. It happened during the defection of some people into APC at Ezza North.

“It was a very big fight and it was not hidden”, he added.

The two Commissioners who are said to be stakeholders in their various communities had a field day as they reportedly exchanged blows, not minding those that were watching them.