CITIZENS COMPASS– FEW hours after the Police arrested a House of Representatives member for alleged money laundering, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has intercepting the sum of N32.4 million allegedly meant for vote-buying in Lagos.
EFCC also arrested a suspect said to be in possession of the money as at the time of interception.
The commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren disclosed this in a statement in the afternoon of Friday, February 24, 2023.
He said the arrest is among various steps to curb vote buying during the 2023 elections.
The Commission did not disclose the suspect’s identity or that of his political party.
The statement reads, “The massive operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to deter vote trading and other financial malfeasance ahead of tomorrow’s presidential and national assembly elections may have begun paying dividends with the interception in Lagos of the sum of N32, 400,000 (Thirty-two Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) allegedly suspected to be used for vote buying in Lagos. 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 Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa has implored all personnel of the Commission 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 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.
