Arrest 323 for electoral-related offences
The police on Monday arraigned two men, Messrs Joachim Oni and Momoh Abdulrahman, at the Ilorin Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly taking pictures and making video recordings during the presidential and national assembly polls on February 23.
The two men, according to the police, were charged with criminal conspiracy and misconduct during the elections.
The prosecutor, Mr. A.A Aladejore, told the court that on February 28, one Lt. N. Shehu of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, transferred the two defendants to the department of public prosecution for further investigation.
Aladejore said based on the report by the Nigeria Army ‘Operation Safe Conduct 2019’, the defendants were arrested at Baruten local government area of the state.
He said the two defendants were caught taking pictures and making video recording of the electoral process during the elections in Gure town.
He said discreet investigation conducted had revealed that the defendants were allegedly employed by one Zakari Mohammed, a senatorial candidate in Kwara North senatorial district.
“The defendants did video recording and took photographs of the electoral processes without being accredited by the appropriate authorities to do so.
“One Sony HDV 10801 Video camera with two Panasonic Mini cassettes, One Nikon camera and one Mini HP Laptop being used by the defendants to illegally record the electoral process were recovered from them,” said the police prosecutor.
He added that the offence contravenes the provisions of section 97 of Penal Code and Section 128 of the Electoral Act 2010.
The prosecutor said investigation on the matter was still ongoing.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr. A.I Dasuki, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties each in like sum.
Dasuki ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant of not below Grade Level 06 and adjourned the case till April 1, for mention.
Similarly, the police said 323 persons were apprehended across the country for alleged electoral offences the presidential and national assembly elections.
The acting inspector general of police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, disclosed this at a meeting with commissioners of police on Monday in Abuja.
He said the force lost two officers while some others were assaulted and injured while discharging their duties during the exercise.
Adamu said that the Special Election Investigation Team had been directed to investigate all the cases by liaising with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure prosecution.
He said the perpetrators of violence would be fished out and brought to justice, no matter their status.
Adamu assured that the police will work closely with INEC and other sister security agencies for a peaceful election.
He urged the police personnel to remain civil, firm, professional and apolitical while going about their duties.
But he warned all political actors against violence and urged them to play the game by the rule.
“Doing otherwise shall attract the full and appropriate response from the police and other security agencies,” he said.
On the possibility of arming personnel at polling units, he insisted that no policeman would be allowed to carry arms at poling units.
He explained that it was against the electoral act and international law for officers to bear arms at polling units.
Adamu said the force would continue to pay officers their allowances ahead of their deployment for election duty.
With NAN report
