The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have concluded plans to begin prosecuting over 1,000 suspects arrested for various electoral offences during the recently concluded 2023 general elections.
According to INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, 191 case files involving 1,076 offenders have been prepared across 35 states. Ebonyi state has the highest number with 64 cases and 216 suspects, followed by Edo state with 22 cases and 80 suspects, and Anambra with 12 cases and 66 suspects.
The offenders are accused of offenses ranging from culpable homicide, unlawful firearms possession, ballot box snatching, destroying INEC materials, possessing offensive weapons, misconduct at polling units, and stealing election results.
INEC plans to mobilize 191 prosecutors who will work with the NBA starting from January 2024 to commence the trial of suspects in various courts across the affected states. Some cases related to electoral fraud involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have already begun trial.
According to electoral reform advocates, prosecuting electoral offenders will serve as a deterrent and help curb impunity during elections. However, they cautioned against bias and selective prosecution, urging security agencies to conduct thorough investigations before charging suspects to court.
The planned prosecution signals INEC and NBA’s commitment to punish violators of electoral laws, promote free and fair elections devoid of malpractices. However, it remains to be seen if high-profile political offenders often shielded from prosecution will face justice.
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