Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a legal against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for “failing to prosecute those suspected of vote-buying and electoral bribery during the recently concluded Ekiti State governorship election”.

SERAP in suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1189/2022 and filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, last Friday, SERAP is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to seek and obtain detailed information about reports of vote-buying by the three leading political parties in the 2022 Ekiti State governorship election.

The anti-corruption watchdog, is also asking for “An order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to promptly and effectively prosecute those arrested, and to bring to justice anyone who sponsored, aided and abetted them”.

The group also said in the suit which was filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Opeyemi Owolabi and Kolawole Oluwadare said, “Wealthy Candidates and their sponsors ought not to be allowed to profit from their crimes. Arresting and prosecuting vote buyers will end widespread impunity for vote buying ahead of the February 2023 general elections.

There had been multiple reports of vote-trading and electoral bribery in some polling units during the recently concluded Ekiti governorship election despite the presence of security officials including personnel of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The alleged voter inducement between N5,000 and N10,000, in the poll where the All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, scored 187, 057 votes to win.

The case is yet to be heard.

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