The Nigerian Bar Association has raised concerns about the Independent National Electoral Commission not taking adequate measures to prosecute electoral offenders in the country.
This worry was voiced during the post-election assessment and review forum on human rights in the 2023 general elections organized by the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja.
Chairman of the Governing Council of the Human Rights Institute of the Nigeria Bar Association, Chinonye Obiagwu (SAN), emphasized the need for INEC to fulfill its official responsibilities efficiently.
Speaking at the forum, Obiagwu highlighted the NBA’s concern, stating, “Electoral offence, which INEC has not done anything about. Since the conclusion of the election, nobody has been prosecuted by INEC for the electoral offence.”
He urged INEC to collaborate with security agencies in investigating and prosecuting electoral offenders.
Expressing the challenges faced by the judiciary due to the priority given to election matters, Obiagwu proposed the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission to address the issues related to electoral offenses during elections.
Representing the Police Service Commission, Dada Babatunde, the Director of Legal of the Commission, acknowledged the commendable improvement in the electoral process during the 2023 general and off-circle elections.
He noted positive developments in the actions of the Nigeria Police in protecting human rights during the elections.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), highlighted the challenges faced during the 2023 general elections, including cases of disenfranchisement, voter intimidation, violence against electorates and electoral staff, and allegations of result manipulations.
He emphasized the NHRC’s role in mobilizing for the election, advocating for human rights, monitoring hate speech, and supporting democratic institutions to ensure the realization of human rights in Nigeria’s democratic process.
