SERAP Sues INEC Over Failure To Prosecute Electoral Offenders In Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa

SERAP Sues INEC Over Failure To Prosecute Electoral Offenders In Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to their failure to arrest and prosecute suspected electoral offenders during the governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states.

This information was shared in a press release issued on Sunday.

The lawsuit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/1694/2023, was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In it, SERAP sought, “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to probe the allegations of electoral offences including electoral violence, in the off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.”

In addition to this, SERAP is also seeking an order of mandamus, which would require INEC to disclose the details of its spending on the off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states.

This would include specific information on the amount spent on conducting voter and civic education, as well as the specific activities carried out in each of the three states.

SERAP argues that there is a genuine public interest in ensuring accountability for the serious electoral offenses committed in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states.

Granting the reliefs sought would compel INEC to fulfill its constitutional and statutory responsibilities, thereby putting an end to the impunity of electoral offenders.

SERAP noted, “the recurring cases of electoral bribery and violence make a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy.

According to SERAP, “Unless INEC is compelled to arrest and prosecute suspected electoral offenders and their sponsors in the elections Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states, perpetrators would continue to enjoy impunity for their crimes.”