Electoral Offences: Obey court orders – SERAP Tells INEC chairman

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to obey court judgement on electoral offences committed during the 2023 general polls.

This is contained in a statement by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare on Sunday.

Oluwadare said Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court Abuja delivered judgment on July 18 following a mandamus lawsuit brought by SERAP.

The group urged the INEC boss to enforce the judgment, ordering INEC to pursue cases of bribery against state governors and their deputies and other electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections.

According to him, it is unacceptable for INEC to take the court, which is the guardian of justice in the country, for a ride.

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He said the recurring cases of electoral bribery and violence make a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy.

The Deputy Director said the latest allegations of electoral offences in Edo State show that INEC has learnt little or nothing from the well-documented problems during the 2023 general elections.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider pursuing contempt proceedings against you and INEC for your continuing failure to obey the court judgment,” he said.

SERAP expressed worry over what it called the continuing failure by INEC to obey the court judgment, saying it contributes to electoral offences as seen in the Edo State election,

It said that obeying the court judgment would go a long way in protecting the integrity of the electoral and legal systems.

“Recall that Justice Egwuatu had ordered INEC to seek the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate allegations of electoral offences including bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence against state governors and their deputies during the 2023 general elections.