Crime
INEC Chair Risks Jail Over Electoral Offences
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a contempt lawsuit against Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “for failing to investigate the allegations of electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections, identify suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure their effective prosecution.”
This was detailed in a statement dated 27 October 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, which was made available to Biztellers.
Recall that Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on 18 July, 2024 ordered INEC “to pursue cases of bribery against state governors and their deputies, and other electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections.”
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Justice Egwuatu also ordered “INEC to seek the appointment of 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.”
However, INEC and Prof Yakubu have failed and/or refused to implement the judgment.
Consequently, the Federal High Court, Abuja in the notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court warned Prof Yakubu that he would be “guilty of contempt of Court and liable to be committed to prison” if he fails “to obey the judgment orders.”
The notice, addressed to Prof Yakubu, read in part: “take notice that unless you obey the Orders contained in the Judgment of the 18th July 2024 made by Justice Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit Number: FHC/ABJ/CS/583/2023, a copy of which is hereto attached, you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
The SERAP stated, “It’s unacceptable to take the court, which is the guardian of justice in this country, for a ride. A democratic state based on the rule of law cannot exist or function, if INEC and its chair routinely ignore and/or fail to abide by court orders.”
The statement, read in part: “Despite the service of the certified true copy of the judgment on INEC and Professor Yakubu, they have failed and/or refused to obey it.
“The recurring cases of electoral bribery and violence make a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy. 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.
“Ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo, INEC must turn the page on persistent electoral offences, end the impunity of perpetrators, and ensure citizens’ right to vote and political participation.”
Justice Egwuatu’s judgment, reads in part: “The substance of SERAP’s grouse is the violence associated with elections in Nigeria which tends to prevent citizens from exercising their franchise during elections, thus preventing credible election and in the long run credible leaders.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that electoral violence and the associated crimes committed during elections in Nigeria is a great bane to the development of this Country both democratically and economically.
“Being citizens of this great country, SERAP and its members have the 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.
“There is no doubt that the Electoral Act 2022 created some electoral offences. Sections 123, 124, 125, 126 127, 128 and 129 are some of the provisions of the Electoral Act that created some specific electoral offences.
“Trial of offences created by the Electoral Act are done in a Magistrate Court or a High Court of a State in which the offence is committed, or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. See Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act.
“By section 145(2) of the same Act, prosecution for the offences shall be undertaken by legal officers of INEC or any legal practitioner appointed by INEC. Clearly therefore, the law imposes on INEC the performance of a public duty.
“Section 24(d) and (e) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] recognizes the rights of citizens to take steps towards advancing the community where he resides.
“The section provides that ‘it shall be the duty of every citizen to-(d) make positive and useful contribution to the advancement of progress and well-being of the community where he resides; (e) render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order.”
Justice Egwuatu granted the following orders of mandamus against INEC (the Judgment Debtor):
AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling INEC to seek the appointment of 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.
AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling INEC to promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate reports of electoral violence and other electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections, identify suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure their effective prosecution.
AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling INEC to swiftly, prosecute all arrested electoral offenders in the just concluded 2023 general election in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and other law enforcement agencies.
Recall that the SERAP had on 20 July 2024 requested Prof Yakubu to “use his good offices and leadership position to immediately enforce the judgment ordering INEC to pursue cases of electoral offences including bribery against state governors and their deputies during the chaotic 2023 general elections.”
The SERAP brought the contempt lawsuit against the INEC and Prof Yakubu pursuant to section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act and Order IX, Rule 13 of the Judgment (Enforcement) Rules of Court.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the contempt suit.
Professional efforts of the Nigerian Navy (NN) has led to discovery of crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in Rivers and Delta States.
It was gathered that operatives of the NN discovered three suspected illegal refining sites, six reservoirs and about 99,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in both states.
These unfolded during separate operations by NN Ship (NNS) SOROH and NNS DELTA on August 31, 2026, relying on credible intelligence on suspected illegal petroleum activities in the area.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operations also led to the discovery of illegal refining infrastructure, including a large refining oven, storage facilities and dugout reservoirs containing suspected stolen crude oil.
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He said the operations represented a significant disruption to the activities of oil thieves and illegal refiners, particularly by targeting the infrastructure used to store and process stolen petroleum products.
Folorunsho added that the identified sites, facilities and recovered products were handled in accordance with established procedures.
The latest operations, the Navy said, underscored its continued efforts to sustain pressure on criminal networks operating in the oil-producing region and deny them access to infrastructure required to carry out crude oil theft and illegal refining.
The Navy also reiterated its commitment to supporting efforts to protect Nigeria’s oil and gas resources and curb activities capable of undermining the country’s economy and environment.
Drama unfolded at the Upper Area Court 2 in Otukpo, Benue State, as a former councillor, Daniel Ujah, was remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre over alleged assault and attempted culpable homicide.
Ujah, 43, who represented Awume-Icho Ward in Ohimini Local Government Area, was arraigned by the Nigeria Police on charges including criminal trespass, intimidation, criminal force and assault, causing grievous hurt, and attempted culpable homicide.
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The charges followed a petition filed by Rebecca Adole at the Area Commander’s Office in Otukpo, according to the First Information Report marked CR33/2026.
The police alleged that on August 28, 2026, Ujah trespassed into the compound of Adole’s mother, Amina Iduh, at Akwutulo, Awume, where he allegedly assaulted her.
According to the FIR, Iduh had returned from the farm when she was allegedly attacked, beaten and pushed into a fire, leaving her with injuries to her buttocks. Her clothes were also reportedly burnt during the incident.
The police said the woman was subsequently taken to a hospital in Onyagede, Ohimini Local Government Area, where she is receiving treatment.
Ujah was also accused of threatening to kill the woman and allegedly claiming that nobody would be able to stop him.
When the case came up for mention on Wednesday, Ujah pleaded not guilty to the charges.
His counsel, Rev. O. Simon, who held brief for P.O. Ella, applied for bail, but the prosecuting counsel, Inspector Nancy Alechenu, opposed the application.
Presiding magistrate, Hasia Garuba, subsequently ordered that Ujah be remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The court adjourned the case until September 22, 2026, for further mention.
The Lagos State Police Command has declared two men, Tomiloye Sunday and Oloyede Olowoyo, wanted over an alleged N115 million fraud.
The suspects were declared wanted by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, following allegations that they conspired with others still at large to obtain N115 million from a complainant under false pretences.
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Separate wanted notices issued by the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday detailed the allegations against the two men.
According to the police, Sunday is wanted over alleged conspiracy, fraud, forgery, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.
The command alleged that Sunday conspired with other suspects, who are still at large, to fraudulently obtain N115 million from the complainant.
The police notice partly read, “The above-named person is hereby declared WANTED by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with conspiracy, fraud, forgery, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.
“The suspect is alleged to have conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain the sum of N115,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira) under the pretence of the complainant.”
Olowoyo was also declared wanted over allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The police alleged that he similarly conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain N115 million from the complainant.
The notice stated, “The above-named person is hereby declared WANTED by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
“The suspect is alleged to have conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain the sum of N115,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira) under the pretence of the complainant.”
The police identified Sunday’s last known address as Ikorodu, Lagos, and described him as a short, medium-built Yoruba man with a round face, upturned nose, small mouth, thin lips and dark complexion. He was also said to be bald.
Olowoyo’s last known address was given as No. 1, Commercial Avenue, Highway Barracks, Sabo, Lagos.
He was described as a heavy-built Yoruba man with a round face, long pointed nose, medium mouth, thick lips, prominent eyes and light complexion.
The command urged anyone with information about the whereabouts of either suspect to report to the nearest police station or the SCID, Musiliu Smith Street, Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
Members of the public can also contact the police on 07073457317.
The allegations against the two men have not been established in court.
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