The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate and prosecute state governors, their deputies, and others implicated in electoral violence, bribery, vote-buying, and conspiracy during the 2023 general elections. Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment last Thursday, following a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The court ordered INEC to appoint independent counsel to investigate electoral violence and other offenses against state governors and their deputies, thoroughly investigate cases of electoral violence, identify suspected perpetrators and their sponsors for effective prosecution, and swiftly prosecute all arrested offenders in the custody of law enforcement agencies.
The judgment is a significant step towards holding those responsible for electoral malpractices accountable and promoting electoral integrity in Nigeria. SERAP had argued that INEC has a constitutional duty to ensure free and fair elections, and that the commission's failure to investigate and prosecute electoral offenses is a violation of citizens' rights. With this judgment, INEC is now mandated to take concrete steps to address electoral violence and other offenses, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment