The DSS has arrested and arraigned two INEC officials, for stealing and selling over 3,097 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) belonging to eligible voters in Rivers State.
The DSS arraigned the INEC officials Beesor Sorle, 39, and Monday Ifesimama, 52, alongside one Darlington Ogolo, 42 on charges of conspiracy, stealing and selling of PVCs, bribery and attempt to register intending voters by proxy.
The charges read in part, “That you, Beesor Sorle and Monday Rowland Ifesimama, between May and August 2018 at the INEC office, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, within the jurisdiction of this court, did conspire to commit felony to wit; stealing of 3,097 Permanent Voter Cards belonging to various registrants but in custody of INEC, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Law of Rivers State, 1999.
“That you, Darlington Ogolo, between May and August 2018, at the INEC office, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, within the jurisdiction of this court, did give the sum of N300,000 as bribe to Beesor Sorle, Higher Executive Officer of INEC in exchange for over 1,000 PVCs registered under Ward 7 of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 98 (4) (1) of the Criminal Code, Law of Rivers State.
“That you, Monday Rowland Ifesimama, Chief Clerical Officer of INEC, between May and August 2018, at the INEC office, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, within the jurisdiction of this court, did received the sum of N120,000 as bribe from Darlington in order to fraudulently facilitate the registration of some prospective voters under Ward 7 of Opobo/Nkoro by proxy, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 98 (1) of the Criminal Code Law of Rivers State, 1999.
“That you, Monday Rowland Ifesinamama, a member of staff of INEC, between May and August 2018, at the INEC office, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, within the jurisdiction of this court, did receive the sum of N120,000 as bribe from Darlington Ogolo to fraudulently facilitate the registration of some prospective voters under Ward 7 of Opobo/Nkoro by proxy, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section (1) (e) of the Electoral Act, 2010.”
However the suspects who pleaded not guilty, were granted bail in the sum of N100,000 each with sureties, who must be civil servants of not less than Level 12 in the Civil Service. The sureties are expected to make available photocopies of their appointment letters, as the case was adjourned till February 20, 2019.
