AGF fails to arraign INEC officials for alleged falsification of poll results

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) on Monday failed to arraign two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over their alleged involvement in electoral fraud.

The officials – Sulaiman Ikhuoriah and Olugbenga Omotiloye – were expected to be arraigned at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, for alleged alteration of results during the February 23, 2019, Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The AGF accused the suspects of falsifying results in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidates against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates in the elections held in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State.

Ikhuoriah served as the Collation Officer for Ward 6 in Saint Maria Gorreti Secondary School, while Omotiloye was an electoral officer at Bishop Kelly, beside St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City.

The INEC officials were investigated for alleged infractions by the Edo State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS).

READ ALSO: Reprieve for Oshiomhole as Appeal Court halts his suspension by lower court

They were initially billed for arraignment on March 10 but the court did not sit on that day.

At the resumed hearing , both defendants were absent in court, prompting Justice Yusuf Halilu to ask the counsel from the OAGF about their whereabouts.

The prosecution told the court that the DSS had yet to bring the two defendants to Abuja from Edo State.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now