VOTE BUYING: EFCC ARRESTS SUSPECTS IN SOKOTO, PORT-HARCOURT, OTHERS WITH BALES OF FABRIC AND MONEY-GIFT CARDS

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC), monitoring the ongoing governorship and state houses of assembly elections have intercepted bales of fabric meant for voter inducement and arrested a number of persons suspected to be involved in vote buying.

Thirty five (35) bales of fabric allegedly belonging to a principal officer of the Sokoto State House of Assembly was intercepted by the team of operatives on election monitoring assignment in Sokoto. The items have been moved to the Sokoto Zonal Command of the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation.

In nearby Kebbi state, precisely Argungu local government area, the EFCC team on election monitoring duties also intercepted a suspect with a vehicle fully loaded with fabrics and other items suspected earmarked for voter inducement. The suspect was handed to the Police Area Command at Argungu, for safe keeping alongside the vehicle and the items, while the team proceeded with election duties.

In Kaduna, 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 ACE II 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 vigilance of the monitoring teams also paid off in Port Harcourt, Rivers State where two ladies and six men were arrested at different locations (Moscow Road, Elekahia Township and Mile 2) for alleged involvement in voter inducement. The suspects were arrested with A4 papers that had names, telephone and account numbers of persons suspected to be voters.

In Ekiti state, the monitoring team led by ACE II Eze Sunday arrested two persons, Abdulazeez Yusuf and Balogun Ojo for electoral fraud offences at Ward 13 unit 2 in Ado-Ekiti. Five voter’s cards of different identities were found on Abdulazeez Yusuf and Balogun Ojo.

The monitoring team in Calabar, Cross River State also arrested one Esther Asuquo Edem, the Woman Leader of one of the political parties for Ward 11, Calabar South, Cross River State and two others, Edet Okon Etim and Asanwana Peter 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 votes.

They are currently at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Cross River State Police Command.

The suspects have volunteered statements to the Commission.