2023 Polls: Probe cases of electoral violence against Governors, Court orders INEC

70

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate allegations of electoral violence against Nigerian governors and deputies during the 2023 general elections.

Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu, who delivered decision in the action filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), also directed the electoral commission to “identify suspected perpetrators and their sponsors and ensure effective prosecution.”

Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, issued a statement on Sunday.

“The appointment of independent counsel to investigate cases of electoral violence and other electoral offences against state governors and their deputies during the 2023 general elections,” the tribunal ruled.

Aside from election violence, the court wants INEC to investigate bribery, vote-buying, and conspiracy that were alleged to have occurred last year.

The Supreme Court also directed INEC “to swiftly prosecute all arrested offenders in the 2023 general elections in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and other law enforcement agencies.”

Justice Egwuatu stated, “I have compassionately evaluated the depositions in SERAP’s affidavit and find no reason to doubt them, especially given the documentary evidence supporting them. Under these circumstances, I find merit in the application. The sole issue of whether this Court should grant the relief of judicial review and orders of mandamus is resolved in favor of SERAP. Accordingly, I grant the prayers sought.”

Justice Egwuatu’s judgment, dated 18 July 2024, further read: “As citizens of this great country, SERAP and its members have a legal interest whose enjoyment or enforcement directly or substantially depends on the performance of public duty by INEC. In requesting the performance of the public duty imposed on the electoral body, SERAP has demonstrated a great zeal of patriotism.

“The substance of SERAP’s complaint is the violence associated with elections in Nigeria, which tends to prevent citizens from exercising their franchise during elections, thereby preventing credible elections and, in the long run, credible leaders. There is no denying the fact that electoral violence and the associated crimes committed during elections in Nigeria are a significant impediment to the country’s democratic and economic development.”