EFCC will decide fate of INEC RECs who received bribes – Presidency

INEC

by Azeez Adeniyi

The Presidency on Tuesday said the fate of former Resident Electoral Commissioners of INEC who allegedly received part of N23bn allegedly distributed by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke would be decided by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in an interview with journalists.

Shehu said the EFCC will decide what to do with the indicted INEC officials.

He said the Presidency was only notified of the development in case President Muhammadu Buhari was planning to re-appoint the indicted persons or give them higher assignments.

[Read Also: OUR OFFICIALS RECEIVED N3BN BRIBE TO INFLUENCE 2015 ELECTIONS – INEC]

He said the independence of INEC and EFCC will be trampled upon if the President takes a decision on the matter.

Shehu said, “It is true that INEC referred the case of a National Commissioner and five RECs, one of them deceased, to the EFCC and the Presidency because they are political appointees.

“The truth, however, is that the EFCC is the agency investigating the matter and it is the commission that will decide what to do with the indicted persons.

“The notice sent to the Presidency is meant to just notify the President that there are cases against these persons in case he wants to re-appoint them or give them higher responsibilities.

“The independence of INEC and EFCC will be compromised if the President should take a decision on the persons.”

Recall that INEC had suspended 205 officials over the bribe.

The Commission also referred the cases of a former National Commissioner and five former RECs to the EFCC and the presidency.

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