The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called upon Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to comply with a recent court judgment regarding electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Sunday, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, highlighted the urgency of the matter, referencing a mandamus lawsuit that led to a judgment by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 18.
The organization is pressing for INEC to “immediately and effectively enforce the judgment ordering INEC to pursue cases of bribery against state governors and their deputies, and other electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections.”
Oluwadare emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “It is unacceptable for INEC to take the court, which is the guardian of justice in this country, for a ride.”
He further noted that “The recurring cases of electoral bribery and violence make a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy.”
SERAP’s statement pointed to recent events in Edo state as evidence that INEC has failed to learn from past electoral challenges.
“The latest allegations of electoral offences in Edo state show that INEC has learnt little or nothing from the well-documented problems during the 2023 general elections,” the statement read.
The organization has set a 7-day deadline for INEC to respond and take action, warning of potential contempt proceedings if the commission fails to comply with the court judgment.
Justice Egwuatu’s ruling ordered INEC to seek the appointment of independent counsel to investigate allegations of electoral offences, including bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence against state governors and their deputies during the 2023 general elections.
Additionally, the court mandated INEC to “promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate reports of electoral violence and other electoral offences committed during the 2023 general elections, identify suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure their effective prosecution.”
SERAP argues that compliance with this court judgment is crucial for protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral and legal systems.
The organization expressed concern that INEC’s continued failure to obey the court ruling is contributing to the perpetuation of electoral offences across various states.
