‘774 Electoral Offenders Facing Prosecution, But Justice Is Delayed’ – INEC Chairman Urges Reform

Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has revealed that the commission is prosecuting 774 electoral offenders from the 2023 general election.

This was revealed on Friday during a meeting with journalists at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Yakubu emphasized INEC’s commitment to continually improving the electoral process, citing the recent Ondo state governorship election as a notable success.

He highlighted the successful prosecution of a returning officer in Akwa Ibom state, stating, “The recent successful prosecution of a returning officer in Akwa Ibom state is a prime example.”

He noted that the commission has been diligently pursuing this case, which stems from the 2019 general election.

Through INEC’s collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), he note that the commission is prosecuting cases involving the alleged offenders.

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Successful prosecutions, he said, have been recorded in Kebbi and Kogi states, with additional successes in Lagos, Kwara, and Gombe states through collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

However, Yakubu identified an obstacle to the swift administration of justice, stating, “A significant obstacle to the swift administration of justice is that electoral offenses are not time-bound, unlike post-election offenses, which are handled through tribunals.”

He emphasized the need for reform, calling for the creation of an “electoral offenses tribunal” with specific jurisdiction and a limited timeframe for the swift resolution of cases.

Yakubu appealed to the media to “join in the patriotic advocacy for the betterment of our electoral democracy.”