On Saturday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said its officers detained 17 people in Katsina and Kano states for alleged vote buying.
Farul Dogondaji, the EFCC’s zonal commander in Kano, announced the news.
Dogondaji stated that six suspects were apprehended with bags of rice and semolina in Kano state’s Tofa and Ungogo LGAs, while one suspect was apprehended with 60 wrappers in Katsina state’s Bakori LGA.
He stated that the individuals were apprehended while attempting to distribute the products during the presidential and National Assembly elections and that they will be charged in court.
The EFCC revealed on Friday the discovery of N32.4 million suspected of being used for vote buying in Lagos state.
The Rivers State Police Command said it arrested Chinyere Igwe, a member of the House of Representatives, with $498,100 cash during a stop-and-search operation hours before the Friday announcement.
The EFCC further stated that it apprehended one Dr. Cletus Tyokyaa, a lecturer at the University of Agriculture Makurdi in Benue State, at the RCM Polling Unit in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area, with N306,700 in various denominations concealed in his car.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC’s Chief of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the suspect’s luck ran out when he drove to a voting center that was different from his polling unit and attempted to flee when he saw EFCC officers.
Uwujaren stated that when challenged about his goal at the polling station, Dr. Tyokyaa was unable to provide a clear explanation, resulting in his detention and the discovery of money in various denominations during a search of his car.
He has discharged after volunteering a statement to the commission.
