The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned against vote-buying during the general election.
The anti-graft agency also promised to reward any person with useful information that would lead to the arrest of culprits of vote-buying, in accordance with the whistle-blowing policy.
In a statement by the acting chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, signed by the acting head of media and publicity, Tony Orilade, he warned against voter inducement, saying that the full weight of the relevant laws would be applied against perpetrators and receivers of illicit funds to undermine the elections and national security.
The statement read in part, “We wish to warn Nigerians against those who intend to engage in voters inducement. There are existing laws in the Electoral Act, 2010, which forbid voters inducement.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 124 of the Electoral Act, 2010, says that any person paying money to any person as bribe at any election is liable to punishment of N500,000 fine or 12 months imprisonment or both, upon conviction.
“Section 124 of the Electoral Act, 2010, also states that any person receiving any money or gift for voting or to refrain from voting at any election will be liable to a maximum fine of N500,000 or 12 months imprisonment or both.
“We, therefore, urge Nigerians to avoid or resist inducement from corrupt politicians and vote for the candidates of their choice.
“We also seize this opportunity to state that that EFCC, in collaboration with INEC, will reward any patriotic citizen that provides authentic information leading to the apprehension of any culprit of vote-buying, in accordance with the whistle blowing policy.
“Our investigations and intelligence gathering sources have revealed that certain corrupt politicians have perfected plans to pollute the electoral process with illicit and looted funds.
“We also have intelligence reports on the plans by some countries, in collaboration with some politicians and looters, to bring in foreign currencies to induce voters and undermine the elections.
“But our operatives, in collaboration with sister agencies, are doing everything possible to block the illicit funds and ensure credible polls in the country.
Source Dailypostng.com
