By Demi Adeniyi
The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakub has thrown it’s weight fully behind the establishment of the National Electoral Crimes Commission and Tribunal.
Prof Yakub who made this known at the sixth annual GOCOP Conference where he spoke on the theme: 2023 elections: managing the process for credible outcome, which held at the Sheraton Hotels, Lagos on Thursday. He wondered why the country has not been able to establish a electoral crime commission and enquiry over the years.
According to him, Justice Uwais, retired, in 2001 had as one of its recommendations recommended the establishment of the electoral crime tribunal, which was repeated by senate President Ken Nnamani in 2007, and wondered why such is taking so long to come.
Yakub said INEC which does not have prosecutorial or investigation powers can not do justice to the powers invested on it to prosecute election offenders.He said INEC would put it’s full weight behind the calls, expressing happiness that private bills have emanated from the National Assembly, and INEC has defended its position at the public hearing on the matter.
More details later.