Electoral fraud:  EFCC arraigns vote seller in Ilorin

Glory Ebomah

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned an alleged vote seller, Adekunle Ademola arrested by operatives of the EFCC, at the just concluded gubernatorial elections in Kwara State.

He was arraigned on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin on one count bordering on vote selling.

The offence contravenes Section 121 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022, and is punishable under section 121 (4) of the same Act”.

The lone -count reads: “That you, Adekunle Ademola sometime on 18th March 2023 at Ilorin, within the Judicial Division of the High Court, while being a voter at the Polling Unit 004, Ilorin Grammar School, Geri Alimi, Ilorin Kwara State, during the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Election in Kwara State, did agree for money to be paid into your account number 0035091636 domiciled with Guarantee Trust Bank Plc for voting at the election and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 121 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and punishable under section 121 (4) of the same Act”.

Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Andrew Akoja, prayed the court for a trial date to enable the prosecution to prove its case, and for the remand of the defendant at a Correctional Centre.

Justice Abdulgafar thereafter remanded the defendant at Mandala Correctional Centre and later adjourned the case to December 6, 2023, for trial.

Adekunle’s journey to the dock started on March 18, 2023, when he was arrested at Polling Unit 04, Ilorin Grammar School, Ilorin by officers of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, on election monitoring duty in the state.

Specifically, the defendant provided his name and account number as well as information about seven others for the purpose of receiving money after he had voted.