200 INEC officials in hot water over N23billion bribe taken during 2015 elections

INEC has set up a panel to probe reports that more than 200 officials received around N23billion bribe in 2015 elections.

At least 200 officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are currently being investigated for reportedly collecting bribes during the 2015 general elections.

The Nation reports that the officials are being probed after it emerged that about N23.29billion was paid out to INEC officials as bribe during the election period.

The huge money which was said to have come from former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke was paid out to INEC officials in a desperate bid to change the results of the election that President Muhammadu Buhari won.

The Nation reports that a panel which is headed by National Commissioner Baba Shetiima Arfo is investigating INEC officials’ part in the scam. Those found guilty, it reports further, will be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Under investigation in the scam are four oil firms, 14 directors of oil companies, two banks, two Resident Electoral Commissioners, more than 16 INEC directors and 82 others.

The investigation was initiated at the instance of a report sent to the INEC by EFCC.

“About 200 INEC employees who have been implicated in one way or the other in the poll bribery scandal have so far been queried.

“The queries were based on the report of the investigation, which was conducted by the EFCC,” a told The Nation.

The source added: “It is after the panel has concluded its work that a disciplinary action will be taken against the guilty ones. Thereafter, the EFCC will proceed with the trial of those with cases to answer.

“It is too early to conclude that all the 200 employees will face trial. They are only going through an internal fact-finding process in INEC.”

“The panel is actually taking on the implicated employees based on the six geopolitical zones.

“These employees, after answering queries, have been coming to the INEC headquarters to appear before the panel.”

The INEC confirmed the investigations through its director of voter education and publicity Wole Osaze-Uzzi, who said: “A panel is sitting but I cannot confirm the total number of people involved. But all those involved will be dealt with administratively without prejudice to what the law enforcement agencies will do.”

This development comes just days after the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers state alleged that 21 ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were arrested by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for reportedly receiving bribes during the last rerun elections in the south-south state..