ICPC To Investigate INEC Officials Over Alleged Infractions In Edo Governorship Election

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it will look into some petitions submitted against officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the recent governorship election held in Edo State.

Recall that the commission had declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election held on September 21, 2014, in Edo State.

The spokesman for the anti-graft agency, Demola Bakare, in an interview with with newsmen yesterday confirmed that some petitions have been received against some officials of the commission.

Daily Trust had reported how some election observers who monitored the election in the state last week stormed the headquarters of ICPC to submit petitions against INEC.

The observers, mostly lawyers, who converged under the aegis of Tap Initiative, specifically demanded the arrest and prosecution of the officials of the commission for allegedly printing two result sheets (EC8A).

The Executive Director of Tap Initiative, Martin Obono, had said the conduct of the commission had reached a stage where they should be reported to USAID, EU, UK and other bodies.

However, the ICPC spokesman said “When we are doing something about a petition, we won’t make it public.

“You can be sure that the petition was received, it was acknowledged. Definitely, if there is substance in it, we will do something about it.

“But it is not our tradition to tell anybody about what we are doing. We received the petition and it was acknowledged. Be sure that something will be done.”

Daily Trust