The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for failing to investigate alleged electoral offences during the 2023 general elections.
On July 18, 2024, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered INEC to investigate bribery allegations against state governors and their deputies, as well as other electoral offences committed during the 2023 elections. Despite this court order, INEC has reportedly failed to take action.
Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, stated that INEC’s inaction constitutes contempt of court and undermines the rule of law. “It’s unacceptable to treat the court with disdain. A democratic state cannot exist or function if INEC and its chairman routinely ignore court orders,” Oluwadare said.
The organisation warned that Nigeria’s recurring electoral bribery and violence mock its democratic process and participatory democracy. With the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo, SERAP emphasized the need for INEC to address persistent electoral offences and end impunity.
SERAP cited the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates INEC to investigate and prosecute electoral offences. Sections 123-129 specify various electoral offences, while Section 145(1) and (2) outline the prosecution process.
