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#NigeriaDecides: EFCC Apprehends 65 Individuals Over Suspected Vote-Buying
At least 65 individuals have been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for suspected vote-buying in the 28 states where governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections were held.
This was announced by Wilson Uwujaren, the Head of Media and Publicity at EFCC, in a statement released on Saturday.
The Ilorin Zonal Command apprehended 20 of the suspects, while operatives from the Kaduna Zonal Command arrested 13 suspects who were on election monitoring duty, as reported by the agency.
Uwujaren stated that the teams monitoring the polls in the Port Harcourt Zone arrested a total of 12 people for various offences bordering on inducing voters with money to vote for their preferred candidates, while the Uyo Zonal Command made four arrests in Calabar, adding that the remaining suspects were arrested in Gombe, Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger states.
He noted that those arrested in Kaduna consist of 10 males and three females, adding that they were apprehended by operatives working on intelligence.
Uwujaren said, “A suspect allegedly involved in vote buying was nabbed at School Road, Unguwan Rimi Kaduna. The suspect who initially resisted arrest, is however in custody, pending the conclusion of the investigation.
“Also in Kaduna, the tẹam led by Esmond Garba arrested one Buhari Muhammed in PU 002 Dogara Yaro Dagari area. He was arrested with voter coupons, which he confessed would be used to trace and pay those who voted for his party.
“Furthermore, the team monitoring the voting exercise around LEA Kabala Doki, Kaduna led by CSE Wakilu Omokide also arrested two individuals suspected of vote buying. Upon their arrest, a total sum of N67, 500, a list containing names of voters with their PVC numbers and their bank account details amongst others, were recovered from them.”
The spokesperson for the anti-graft agency noted that the investigation so far revealed that the major modus operandi of the suspects is to give cash, transfer money, coupons, and send recharge cards to eligible voters in order to induce them to vote for their candidates.
“A search of their persons and phones revealed that most of them had transferred money into the accounts of some voters on the lists recovered from them. Some of the items recovered from the suspects include voter cards, monies, list containing names and account details of voters. Others are recharge cards,” he said.
In the same vein, officers of the Kaduna Command also arrested two persons in Niger State for alleged vote buying. The first suspect, one Umar Ibrahim, was arrested at Peter Sarki Road polling unit based on intelligence.
“Upon searching his vehicle, an INEC ID tag (domestic election observer) bearing his name and photograph and also a letter of appointment from BOS ( Bago Support Organisation) as Director Liaison, were uncovered. On further inquiry, he disclosed that a certain Mr. Usman Mohammed, who belongs to his political party gave him the INEC ID tag
“The second suspect, Isa Salihu Bababida, was arrested at Unguwar Nassarawa with several lists of names, account numbers and BVN,” Uwujaren added.
He further revealed that in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, the election monitoring teams arrested 10 suspects alleged to be involved in voter inducement at Moscow Road, Elekahia, Township, Mile 2, Ward 2 polling Unit 2 and 30, Ogbum, Phalga, Port Harcourt.
According to him, the suspects were arrested with A4 papers that had names, telephone and account numbers of persons suspected to be voters. Also two youths who were alleged to be involved in voter inducement were arrested at Ward 2 Polling Unit 2 and 30, Ogbum, PHALGA, Port Harcourt City.
The EFCC PRO further noted that the four persons arrested at different locations in Calabar by the team from Uyo Zonal Command, led by Binta Rano, volunteered their statements at the Criminal Investigation Department, Cross River State Police Command.
He added, “The team arrested one Esther Edem, the Woman Leader of one of the political parties for Ward 11, Calabar South, Cross River State and two others, Edet Etim and Asanwana Eyo, for alleged vote buying in Calabar.
“The Woman Leader, who had a list of suspected voters, their account numbers and thousands of Naira in cash was apprehended inside an uncompleted building, beside her ward in Calabar South, while Etim and Eyo were arrested at Ward 12, Unit 11, at Kings Memorial School by Inyang Street, Abasi Obori, Calabar South.
“The duo of Etim and Eyo had with them their own lists and money they allegedly used in buying vote.”
Uwujaren also noted that the 20 suspects arrested by the Ilorin Zonal Command are Adekunle Ademola, Wasiu Raimi, Laaro Rasheed, Alagbe Taiwo, Boniface Victory, Kayode Toba, Adeoye Adetunji, Lawal Favour, Abidoye Moradeyo, Magaji Iliasu, Abdulkadir Abdulmumini and Musa Olasunkanmi.
Others are Marudeen Sadiq, Abogunrin Oluwasesan, Funmilayo Lawal, Olawuyi Bolarin, Garuba Ismail, Abiola Abogunrin, Amidu Tiamiyu and Usman Abdulazeez.
“The suspects who were arrested at different polling units across the state, were caught with incriminating items including cash of various sums, notebook containing list of voters names, POS machine, mobile phones and voter cards, among others.
“Upon interrogation, some of the suspects identified themselves as party agents while some admitted distributing money to induce voters.” He said.
The EFCC PRO additionally stated that the Gombe Zonal Command, under the leadership of Faruk Dogondaji, apprehended 10 individuals in Gombe for suspected voter inducement and seized 43 pieces of wrappers and N1, 923,900 in cash.
Nonetheless, the official mentioned that inquiries are ongoing to ascertain the responsibility of each accused party.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Thursday commissioned the 3.5km phase one of the Ila township road dualisation.
This was revealed in a government house statement issued in Osogbo on Thursday.
Speaking at the commission exercise, the Governor noted that the dual carriage is more than a road but a lifeline for commerce, mobility and safety for the people adding that the project alongside other township roads, market and health facility shows that this administration believes that development must get to the grassroots.
He added that his administration is opening Ila to more investments, easier movement of farm produce and better access to schools, hospitals and the palace.
“The dual carriage is more than a road. It is a lifeline for commerce, mobility and safety for the people. This project alongside other township roads, market and health facility shows that this Administration believes that development must get to the grass roots. Ila is a historic town, it is a center of learning, culture and commerce.
“With this dualised road, we are opening Ila to more investment, easier movement of farm produce and better access to schools, hospitals and the palace.
“We also know that this road connects Ila to other town, that is why we are also working on Intercity Roads to ensure Ila is not left behind in the Osun infrastructure agenda. Apart from this dual carriageway, my administration has equally completed over 7km length of intracity roads in Ila Orangun.”
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Earlier, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Tokunbo Salam stated that Gov Adeleke’s era is a landmark one. An era that will be hard to forget in the history of Osun State. He added that the road was constructed within 12 months as mandated by the Governor.
“Your Excellency, You will recall that, 12 months, 2 days ago, you were here to flag off this road and you gave us a mandate at the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure that we have to finish this road within 12 months and we are here today for the commissioning of this road.
“Your Excellency, I believe people are counting because this is one of several projects and they are still counting. Your excellency, your era is a landmark era and era that will be hard to forget in the history of Osun State. What we have commissioned today never happened and in many other places never happened and history will never forget.
“What is happening is described as urban renewal and as we are renewing, this is the first phase of the road and the second phase of the road will be pronounced by His Excellency and I know that by the time he comes back for his second term, total transformation will come to Ila”, he stated.
Briefly describing the project before its commissioning, Director of Research and Planning, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr Olalekan Salami explained that the Governor gave an approval for a 10km road to be executed in three phases, 3.5km for phase 1 and 2 and 3km for phase 3.
He said, “Your Excellency, you approved that the dualisation of Ila road should be 10km in length and phased into three and you gave us a mandate that the first phase be delivered within 12 months.
“Exactly 21st of July 2025, we were here to flag off this road, and we are here today 23rd of July 2026 for the commissioning of the first phase which is 3.5km”
“It is the intention of the Governor that this road will lead to the Federal University of Health Sciences, first phase of 3.5km is completed within 12 months, another 3.5km will be completed within the next 12 months and the last one will be 3km to complete the 10km dual carriageway.”
The Commissioning was witnessed by the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Olukayode Oyedotun (Bibiire I), Members of the Imole Campaign Council as well as other members of the Executive Council and party Chieftains.
Former adult film actress Deyci Alejandra Omaña Ortiz, popularly known by her stage name Amaranta Hank, has made history after being sworn in as a senator in Colombia, becoming one of the country’s most talked-about political figures.
Ortiz secured the Senate seat following her victory in Colombia’s March elections on the platform of the left-wing Historic Pact coalition, where she campaigned for greater rights and legal protections for workers in the adult entertainment industry.
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According to Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, the newly inaugurated lawmaker will represent the Norte de Santander region during the 2026–2030 parliamentary term after placing 23rd on the coalition’s closed electoral list.
The Historic Pact emerged as the country’s strongest political force in the election, winning 22.72 per cent of the Senate vote—more than 4.4 million ballots—to secure 25 seats, according to Colombia’s National Registry.
Before entering politics, Ortiz worked as a journalist before transitioning into the adult film industry. She has maintained that her previous career should not define her ability to serve in public office.
Responding to critics who questioned her suitability for office, Ortiz defended her candidacy in a TikTok video, saying:
“¿Por qué una mujer que estuvo en la industria para adultos no puede aspirar a un cargo de elección popular?”
The statement translates to: “Why can’t a woman who was in the adult industry aspire to a popularly elected office?”
According to Infobae Colombia, Ortiz believes women who have worked in the sexual economy make meaningful contributions to the country’s economy and deserve legal recognition instead of continued stigma.
Born in the city of Cúcuta, the senator said her legislative agenda will also focus on mental health, sexual abuse prevention, and broader social welfare reforms.
Her political rise follows months of public debate after she and fellow former adult film performer Juan Carlos Florián were appointed to positions in President Gustavo Petro’s Ministry of Equality, a move that sparked widespread discussion in Colombia.
Ortiz’s swearing-in marks one of the most closely watched moments in Colombian politics in recent years, with supporters describing it as a victory for inclusion and equal opportunity, while critics continue to question her unconventional path to public office.
A South African court has ordered a temporary halt to impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the controversial $580,000 Phala Phala farm cash scandal, pending the outcome of his legal challenge against an earlier investigative report.
The Western Cape High Court ruled on Friday in favour of Ramaphosa, granting his request to suspend the parliamentary impeachment process while the court reviews a November 2022 independent panel report that concluded the president “may have committed” serious violations and misconduct.
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In his ruling, Judge Andre le Grange ordered that Parliament’s impeachment committee must not proceed with public hearings until the judicial review has been concluded.
“Pending the determination by this court of the applicant’s review… respondents are interdicted from proceeding with a public impeachment hearing,” the judge ruled.
The controversy dates back to a 2020 burglary at Ramaphosa’s luxury Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo Province, where thieves allegedly stole $580,000 hidden inside a sofa.
Ramaphosa has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he reported the break-in to the police and that the money was the legitimate proceeds from the sale of 20 buffaloes.
The complaint was filed by a former South African intelligence chief and one-time ally of former President Jacob Zuma.
The complainant alleged that Ramaphosa concealed the robbery from both police and tax authorities and claimed the amount involved was as much as $4 million.
Despite mounting pressure from opposition parties demanding accountability, Ramaphosa has repeatedly ruled out resigning over the scandal.
Reacting to Friday’s ruling, the South African president reaffirmed his commitment to the country’s constitutional principles and judicial system.
“The President will continue to cooperate with and abide by processes of accountability,” a statement from his office said, adding that he remains committed to respecting the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers.
The impeachment process had initially been rejected by South Africa’s National Assembly, where Ramaphosa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) held a parliamentary majority, effectively blocking impeachment proceedings at the time.
Although prosecutors dropped related charges in 2024, the Constitutional Court overturned Parliament’s earlier decision in May 2026, paving the way for the establishment of a parliamentary impeachment committee.
If the impeachment proceedings eventually resume, Ramaphosa would become the first sitting South African president to face such a process.
The High Court is expected to hear his application seeking to overturn the 2022 independent panel report in September.
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