The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has indicted 66 individuals and organisations allegedly involved in poll crimes, ranging from criminal offences to administrative, judicial and professional misconduct in 2007 and 2011 elections.
Among them are former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman Prof. Maurice Iwu, former governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Oserheimen Osunbor (Edo), Clarence Olafemi (Kogi), former Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Prof. C. E. Onukogu, Senator Hosea Ehinlanwo (Ondo), Senator Ayo Arise (Ekiti), Mukhtari Shehu Shagari and Chief Adefemi Kila.
The report released under NHRC’s “Electoral Accountability Project/End Electoral Impunity Project” recommended prosecution and disciplinary measures for them.
Bem Angwe, Executive Secretary of the Commission, said the organisation had over 118 indictments ranging from the political class, individuals and institutions for electoral offences.
He recommended among others, that the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), the inspector-general of police, INEC and other relevant institutions, take necessary steps on the report including prosecuting and ensuring that disciplinary measures were taken against those found wanting.
Angwe said the offences were committed in the 2007 and 2011 elections by the political class, individuals and various institutions that had the responsibility to conduct elections.
He said the report was a follow up to an earlier report presented in 2014 where a list of those indicted was forwarded to the attorney-general of the federation for necessary actions.
“With the finalisation of this report, that list has been upgraded and will also be sent to the AGF and state attorneys-general,” he said.
“We hope necessary steps will be taken to ensure that these people or institutions indicted are held accountable for their infractions during the 2007 and 2011 elections.”
The executive secretary said that holding them accountable would surely curb electoral impunity in the country.
Angwe noted that unless steps were taken to deal with electoral impunity, the right to vote and be voted for and related rights would continued to be infringed upon.
He said that the next step was for the commission to begin a holistic look into the 2015 election as well.
“The commission will soon commence public hearing to investigate those involved in hate speeches and violence in the 2015 election and even the 1999 elections,” he said.
(NAN)
