The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected claims by the Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disobeyed a court order regarding the prosecution of electoral offenders. INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, released a statement Wednesday in Abuja, addressing the accusations.
Olumekun stated that SERAP’s accusations, including the claim that INEC failed to appoint independent counsel to prosecute Governors and Deputy Governors involved in electoral violations, are inaccurate. INEC clarified that constitutional immunity protects Governors and Deputy Governors from prosecution, a fact it believes SERAP should recognize. Additionally, INEC explained that no prima facie cases have been established against these officials, as no arrests or investigations have implicated them in electoral offenses.
INEC emphasized its commitment to prosecuting electoral offenses, detailing that it received 215 case files from the Nigeria Police after the 2023 General Election. These cases involve 238 suspects from the Presidential and National Assembly elections and 536 suspects from the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
The commission further noted that its dedication to justice extends within its ranks, citing an ongoing High Court case in Yola involving a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) facing prosecution.
This response reinforces INEC’s commitment to upholding electoral integrity while adhering to constitutional limitations in prosecuting electoral offenses.
