An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) names withheld, has been apprehended by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), during the Imo State governorship election, in possession of a substantial amount of money.
The INEC staff, whose identity was not disclosed, was apprehended at Polling Unit 005, Township Primary School, Ikenegbu 1, in the Owerri Municipal LGA.
The money according to report was allegedly offered to the official by an unnamed party for vote-buying.
The ICPC and EFCC had deployed officers to monitor off-cycle elections in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa to counter electoral fraud, including vote buying and selling.
There had been reports of party agents in Kogi State offering financial incentives to voters in Lokoja to secure their votes for their respective candidates.
These agents according to the report were stationed approximately 500 meters from the polling units, distributing cash to voters in exchange for their support.
The amounts varied, ranging from N3,000 to N5,000.
… Photo and story: Courtesy Osun Defender