By Ken Afor
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its negligence in apprehending and bringing to justice individuals suspected of electoral misconduct during the gubernatorial elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states.
This was disclosed in a press release made available to the media on Sunday.
The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1694/2023, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In it, SERAP sought, “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to probe the allegations of electoral offences including electoral violence, in the off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.”
It also sought “an order of mandamus to compel INEC to disclose spending details on the off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States, including the specific amount spent to conduct voter and civic education and details of the activities carried out in the three states.”
It, however, argued that it is crucial to uphold public interest by holding accountable those responsible for serious electoral violations in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states. Granting the requested remedies would compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fulfill its constitutional and statutory obligations, thereby putting an end to the impunity of those who commit electoral offenses.
SERAP noted that, “the recurring cases of electoral bribery and violence make a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy.
According to SERAP, “Unless INEC is compelled to arrest and prosecute suspected electoral offenders and their sponsors in the elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states, perpetrators would continue to enjoy impunity for their crimes.”
It would be recalled that during the off-cycle election in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states, there were reported cases of electoral irregularities in some Polling Units (PUs).
A typical example was an alleged case in Kogi State where the election result of some wards in the State was widely circulated on social media even before the conclusion of the exercise in those wards.
The electoral umpire having duly been informed, responded it would investigate and take necessary action but since the election INEC is yet to inform the public of their next move.
