By Press Unit

Massive operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to deter vote trading and other financial malfeasance ahead of tomorrow’s presidential and national assembly elections may have begun paying dividends with the interception in Lagos of the sum of 32, 400,000 naira (Thirty-two Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) allegedly suspected to be used for vote buying in Lagos.

The recovery was made by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Commission.

The suspect involved has been taken into custody for further questioning.

The Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa has implored all personnel of the Commission deployed for election monitoring duties to show courage and not give room for unscrupulous persons to undermine the integrity of the elections through financial inducement.

Tactical team of operatives are currently on ground in all the states of the federation and the FCT.

Telephone hotlines have already been circulated through social media for members of the public to share information regarding financial malpractices with agents of the Commission.

Details of the number are available on EFCC social media platforms.

Members of the public are encouraged to report anyone trying to buy or sell votes by making use of the EFCC financial crimes reporting App, Eagle Eye, which is available for download on the Google Play or Apple store.

They can also reach the Commission through our social media handle, @officialefcc or by email, info@efcc.gov.ng.

2023 Polls: EFCC in Last Minute Enlightenment Campaign

Few hours to the commencement of the 2023 general elections, officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today, February 24, intensified last minute vigorous enlightenment and sensitization campaigns against vote buying and all forms of electoral fraud.

The officers, part of the teams deployed to the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, took their campaign to media houses, Bureau De Change operators and INEC officials, on the need for collaboration to forestall electoral malpractices with a view to delivering a transparent, credible, and peaceful elections.

Commander of the EFCC, Osita Nwajah who is anchoring the Commission’s election monitoring activities in Abia state, took a detour to Akwa Ibom state on Thursday 23rd February, 2023, where he held live interviews to sensitize the people of Akwa Ibom on what constitutes electoral malpractice at Comfort 95.1 FM, Uyo.

He also visited XL 106.9 FM Uyo, ABN Television, Uyo, and Passion 94.1 FM Uyo.

He educated the public on vote buying/selling, voters’ inducement and how to report the same before and during the elections.

Nwajah who was equally at the office of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Abia State, gave out channels through which the public can immediately report any observed infraction to the Commission

On his part, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Aliyu Naibi, led operatives of Port Harcourt Command to sensitize Bureau de Change operators in Bayelsa State and warned them to avoid being used by politicians for vote buying.

Similarly, the team led by Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Eze Johnson visited BDCs in Ibusa, Delta State, and sensitized them on the ills of vote buying and the need to discourage members from being used by politicians. Chairman of BDC in the state, Alhaji Adamu Musa commended the team for the exercise.

Real-time information on the engagements by EFCC operatives monitoring the elections and various sensitization messages can be accessed using the Commission’s social media platforms: @officialefcc.

@views exclusive rights: Press Unit, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, February 24, 2023.