Sign in

INEC Pushes for Electoral Offences Tribunal

Published

Friday, February 7, 2025 at 02:31 PM

Written by Love Patience Tarimoboere

INEC Pushes for Electoral Offences Tribunal

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has renewed calls for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal, emphasising the need for a dedicated judicial body to handle cases of electoral malpractice.

Speaking at the first regular quarterly consultative meeting with the media in Abuja on Friday, Yakubu highlighted the challenges facing the prosecution of electoral offenders, noting that delays in the judicial system often result in cases lingering for years.

He cited the recent conviction of a Returning Officer in Akwa Ibom State, which took nearly six years to conclude, as an example of the slow pace of justice.

Yakubu explained, “One of these areas of reform is the prosecution of electoral offenders. Judicial and legislative action in the last few days underscores our effort to deal with offences involving officials of the Commission assigned to carry out designated responsibilities.

“However, it also highlights the challenges we face in dealing with electoral offences. The recent successful prosecution of a Returning Officer in Akwa Ibom State is a case in point.

“The Commission has been diligently pursuing the case which arose from the 2019 General Election. In this particular case, it took nearly six years to achieve the successful prosecution at the trial court.”

The INEC Chairman explained that under the current system, electoral offences are prosecuted in Magistrate and State High Courts alongside other criminal cases, leading to significant delays.

Unlike post-election petitions, which have strict timelines, electoral offences can take years to resolve, often extending into subsequent election cycles.

Edited By: Chinedu Eze

The journey to greatness is one step at a time and you should be part of it.

Join the NDconnect community channels on WhatsApp and Telegram to get News updates and add to the voices shaping the future : ❤️

WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VajWDeK29754T7BzHU2H

WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dlm6LmlgmzaKCMUYP4BPwC

Telegram t.me/NDConnectNewsAlert

11 months ago

Apprehend Kidnappers of Justice Umukoro

11 months ago

Rivers: Peace at What Price?

11 months ago

2027: Can the Coalition Work?

1 year ago

Tinubu, Democracy Day, and June 12

1 year ago

Diri at 66: Daring The Terrain in Bayelsa

1 year ago

PDP's Rescue Mission

1 year ago

Reoccurring Nightmare of Police Brutality

1 year ago

Adieu Pa Clark (May 25, 1927 to February 17, 2025)

1 year ago

All Eyes on Pope Leo XIV

see more

RIVERS LG POLL: Protesters Storm RSIEC office As Election Tension Escalates

...Say Election must hold

1 year ago

The Disrespect Towards Davido Is Too Much - Nasty Blaq

1 year ago

Wrestling Federation Mourns The Passing Of Adekunle Ojo

1 year ago

Presidency Defends Ajaero's Arrest

...Says He is not Above The Law

1 year ago

PDP Chairman Tasks LGA Executives on Party Cohesion

1 year ago

Patronize Nigerian Caterers, FG Tells Foreign Airline Operators

Niger Delta Connect is an award winning indigenous and community based news platform that delivers high quality and original stories that shine light on emerging developments, connect & unravel underreported realities in the Niger Delta.

Your News

Niger Delta News

Inside naija

World News

Quick Links

INEC Pushes for Electoral Offences Tribunal

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has renewed calls for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal, emphasising the need for a dedicated judicial body to handle cases of electoral malpractice.

Speaking at the first regular quarterly consultative meeting with the media in Abuja on Friday, Yakubu highlighted the challenges facing the prosecution of electoral offenders, noting that delays in the judicial system often result in cases lingering for years.

He cited the recent conviction of a Returning Officer in Akwa Ibom State, which took nearly six years to conclude, as an example of the slow pace of justice.

Yakubu explained, “One of these areas of reform is the prosecution of electoral offenders. Judicial and legislative action in the last few days underscores our effort to deal with offences involving officials of the Commission assigned to carry out designated responsibilities.

“However, it also highlights the challenges we face in dealing with electoral offences. The recent successful prosecution of a Returning Officer in Akwa Ibom State is a case in point.

“The Commission has been diligently pursuing the case which arose from the 2019 General Election. In this particular case, it took nearly six years to achieve the successful prosecution at the trial court.”

The INEC Chairman explained that under the current system, electoral offences are prosecuted in Magistrate and State High Courts alongside other criminal cases, leading to significant delays.

Unlike post-election petitions, which have strict timelines, electoral offences can take years to resolve, often extending into subsequent election cycles.

Apprehend Kidnappers of Justice Umukoro

Rivers: Peace at What Price?

2027: Can the Coalition Work?

Tinubu, Democracy Day, and June 12

Diri at 66: Daring The Terrain in Bayelsa

PDP's Rescue Mission

Reoccurring Nightmare of Police Brutality

Adieu Pa Clark (May 25, 1927 to February 17, 2025)

All Eyes on Pope Leo XIV

see more

Recommended Stories

RIVERS LG POLL: Protesters Storm RSIEC office As Election Tension Escalates

The Disrespect Towards Davido Is Too Much - Nasty Blaq

Wrestling Federation Mourns The Passing Of Adekunle Ojo

Presidency Defends Ajaero's Arrest

PDP Chairman Tasks LGA Executives on Party Cohesion

Patronize Nigerian Caterers, FG Tells Foreign Airline Operators