The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 20 individuals for alleged involvement in various electoral offences during the recently concluded local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The arrests were confirmed on Sunday in Abuja by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, who disclosed that the suspects were apprehended across different area councils within the FCT. According to him, the offences range from vote buying and vote selling to obstruction of law enforcement officers deployed for election monitoring.
Oyewale revealed that a total sum of ₦17.2 million was recovered from the suspects during the coordinated operations. He noted that the arrests form part of the commission’s broader mandate to curb financial crimes and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Providing further details, Oyewale stated that one of the suspects was arrested with ₦13.5 million concealed inside a vehicle parked close to a polling unit in the Kwali Local Government Area. The proximity of the vehicle to the polling booth, he explained, raised strong suspicion of attempted vote buying.
He added that the arrests were spread across several area councils: two suspects were apprehended in Abaji, nine in Gwagwalada, four in Kuje, and another four in Kwali. The EFCC said the distribution of arrests reflects the commission’s extensive surveillance and rapid-response deployment during the election period.
Oyewale emphasized that all suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations. He reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to working with other security agencies to deter electoral malpractice and ensure that those who undermine democratic processes are held accountable under the law.
The commission also warned political actors and their agents against engaging in vote trading and other illegal practices, stressing that future elections will continue to attract strict enforcement actions.
