INEC Arraigns 7 for Electoral Offences in Ondo Guber Poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission has  arraigned seven persons, who were allegedly involved in some electoral malpractices during the November 26, 2016, governorship election in Ondo State.

The suspects – Adejoye Emmanuel, Olomojuni Morire, Ololajulo Oladeji, Ebigbemi Ajinde, Aminu Sunday, Fagbemi Segun and Tope Awe – were arraigned at the two Magistrates’ courts in Akure, the state capital.

While  Adejoye Emmanuel  Olomojuni Morire, Ololajulo Oladeji were arraigned at the Oke Eda Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, Ebigbemi Ajinde, Aminu Sunday, Fagbemi Segun,  and Tope Awe were arraigned at the court on Hospital Road, Akure, last week.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Adeniyi Lawal, alleged that Emmanuel, Morire and Oladeji were arrested for being in possession of eight Permanent Voter Cards at Mahin Ward 1, Unit 16, Igbokoda in the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state on Election Day.

Lawal also stated that Ebigbemi was arrested for allegedly causing a breach of peace at Ekitan Ward, Unit 10, Okonla in the Ilaje LGA of the state on Election Day.

The trio of Sunday, Segun and Awe were nabbed by the police at the Oke-Ijebu area of Akure for allegedly being possession of dangerous weapons in their vehicle while the election was ongoing.

The accused persons were said to have committed an electoral offence contrary to Section 129 (1) and (4) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and punishable under the same section.

During the proceeding on Tuesday, the counsel for the defendants, Mr.  Femi Adetoye, argued that INEC had no constitutional power to prosecute alleged electoral offenders, saying the prosecution of electoral offenders was the duty of the attorney general of the state.

The prosecuting counsel disagreed with the defendant, saying Section 150 of the Electoral Act empowered the commission to prosecute any electoral offender.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Victoria Bob-Manuel, however, agreed with the prosecuting counsel and ordered INEC to go ahead with the prosecution.

She adjourned the case till February 16, 2017, for continuation of trial.

PUNCH