EFCC
EFCC arrests vote buyers. On Saturday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission detained 14 people for alleged vote buying in governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states.
The commission made the announcement in a statement published on X.
The individuals were apprehended during operations at voting centers in the three states, according to the message.
They were alleged to have been apprehended based on intelligence acquired before to the election.
The anti-graft agency said a total of N11.04 million cash was recovered from the apprehended vote buyers and sellers.
This includes N9.31 million intercepted in Bayelsa and N1.73 million seized in Imo.
Two vehicles were also seized from the suspects, who were largely apprehended near polling stations and playgrounds utilized as voting centers.
The EFCC claimed that after the investigations are concluded, the 14 inmates will be charged in court.
The arrests, according to the commission, were made as part of attempts to combat electoral malpractices such as vote buying, which could jeopardize the integrity of the off-cycle governorship elections.
The statement reads, “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 14 suspected vote buyers in Otuoke, Adawari playgrounds in Bayelsa State and at various polling units in Imo and Kogi States.
“They were arrested on Saturday, November 11, 2023 in intelligence-driven operations that commenced several days before the ongoing governorship elections in the three states.
“Also, a total of N11,040,000 was recovered from them, including N9,310,000 intercepted from suspected vote buyers and sellers in Bayelsa and N1,730,000 intercepted from electoral fraud suspects across Imo State.”
“In addition, two vehicles belonging to the suspects were intercepted.” As soon as the investigations are completed, they will be charged in court.”