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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos has intercepted N32.4 million suspected to be meant for vote buying.
The operation, according to the anti-graft agency, is to deter vote trading and other financial malfeasance ahead of Saturday’s (today’s) presidential and national assembly elections.
A yet-to-be identified person has also been arrested for his alleged involvement in the distribution of the money.
The recovery was made by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the commission.
The suspect involved has been taken into custody for further questioning, the agency added.
The arrest and the recovery of the huge sum is coming barely 24 hours after a the Rivers State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Hon. Chinyere Igwe, a member of the House of Representative representing Port Harcourt II with a cash sum of $498,100.
The commission’s Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement said the Chairman of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, had implored all its personnel deployed for election monitoring duties to show courage and not give room for unscrupulous persons to undermine the integrity of the elections through financial inducement.
“Tactical team of operatives are currently on the ground in all the states of the federation and the FCT.
Telephone hotlines have already been circulated through social media for members of the public to share information regarding financial malpractices with agents of the Commission. Details of the number are available on EFCC social media platforms.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report anyone trying to buy or sell votes by making use of the EFCC financial crimes reporting App, Eagle Eye, which is available for download on the Google Play or Apple store. They can also reach the Commission through our social media handle, @officialefcc or by email, info@efcc.gov.ng,” he said.
