Politics
SAN Wants INEC To Investigate Electoral Offences
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Rotimi Jacobs, yesterday said that there was the need to grant the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the power to investigate electoral offences, to address the problem effectively.
Jacobs made the statement while facilitating a session at the two-day training for INEC legal officers and police officers in Lagos.
The training, which began last Monday, was organised by INEC with support from the European Union’s Centre for Electoral Support (ECES).
The lawyer said allowing the police to investigate electoral offences while restricting INEC to prosecution would not achieve much.
Jacobs explained that dealing with electoral offences successfully required tight co-ordination from the process of investigation to prosecution.
“We cannot really achieve much if the only thing INEC does is to prosecute electoral offences and lacks the power to investigate cases.
“We cannot do much when the police is saddled with investigation and INEC takes care of prosecution.
”Successful prosecution of electoral offences will require that INEC is the prosecuting and the investigative agency.
“Giving the agency the power to also investigate would ensure better co-ordination needed to address the problem,’’ he said.
Jacobs suggested that INEC could be empowered by the law to set up its department for the purpose of investigating electoral offences.
He said that with this, the commission would be able to handle cases from the beginning to the last day in court.
The lawyer described the problem of electoral malpractices as threat to democracy, as it undermined the credibility of elections.
He urged all stakeholders to take the necessary steps to ensure that the problem was kept at bay.
Earlier, the Chairman, INEC Legal Services, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, said even the function of prosecution of electoral offences was a burden on the commission.
She explained that the commission did not have the capacity to prosecute all cases in all parts of the country at the same time.
Agbamuche-Mbu said the function would be better handled by a special commission for electoral offences.
She explained that a bill for the establishment of the commission was receiving attention at the National Assembly and if eventually established, it would relieve INEC of the prosecutorial function and allow the commission to focus on its core functions.
The official said the commission in the mean time would do its best to deal with the problem of electoral malpractices.
“This training for our judicial officers and police officers is part of our efforts to ensure we do our best in the prosecution of cases,’’ she said.
Agbamuche-Mbu urged the beneficiaries of the training to apply what they had learned to their jobs, to achieve the commission’s objective.
He thanked ECES for supporting the training, urging the centre to continue to partner INEC in efforts to improve its competencies
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
-
News5 days ago2026 Budget: FG Allocates N12.78bn For Census, NPC Vehicles
-
Sports4 days agoAFCON: Osimhen, Lookman Threaten Algeria’s Record
-
Politics5 days agoWike’s LGAs Tour Violates Electoral Laws — Sara-Igbe
-
Politics5 days agoRivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance
-
Sports4 days agoPalace ready To Sell Guehi For Right Price
-
Sports4 days agoArsenal must win trophies to leave legacy – Arteta
-
Sports4 days agoTottenham Captain Criticises Club’s Hierarchy
-
Sports5 days agoNPFL To Settle Feud between Remo Stars, Ikorodu City