NHRC indicts 118, including past governors and former INEC chairman for violence and malpractice in the 2007/2011 elections

In a report aimed at ending electoral impunity, the National Human Rights Commission has indicted 118 persons on offences of electoral violence and malpractice committed during the 2007/2011 general elections in Nigeria.

Amongst those indicted by the report are the former governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governor of Edo State, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, a former Acting Governor of Kogi State, Clarence Obafemi and a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu and Senator Ayo Arise.

Others are the Independent National Electoral Commission and its officials in Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta, Kastina, Kogi and Rivers States, the Appeal Court, Election Petition Tribunals and political parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Nigerian People Party (ANPP).

According to the Executive Secretary of NHRC, professor Ben Angwe, those indicted will be further investigated and charged to the appropriate courts of the land.

According to the report, electoral malfeasance has become the norm in Nigeria where cases of ballot box snatching, kidnapping and even murder have been reported during various elections conducted in the country.

Prof. Angwe further noted that it will no longer be business as usual as anyone found wanting will be charged to the appropriate court.

Speaking on behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a National Commissioner in the Organization, Mr Adedeji Shoyebi, said violence has contributed to the recent inconclusiveness of elections across the country and advocated for an electoral offences court as a solution to the menace.