Ex-Plateau REC, 2 others docked over N163.9m bribe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Gombe zonal office yesterday arraigned three electoral officials over alleged bribery to influence the outcome of the 2015 general election.

The suspects are; Dr Godwin Kwanga, former Plateau State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Usman Baba Bukar, former Administrative Secretary of the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) in Plateau State and Jonathan Azi Nyako, a retired INEC staff.

They were arraigned before Justice C. L. Dabup of Plateau State High Court on two count charge bordering on conspiracy and bribery.

The defendants allegedly used their positions and conspired among themselves to bribe INEC staff to influence the outcome of the 2015 general election in favour of one of the political parties.

One of the offenses is contrary to and punishable under Section (1) (c) and Section 9 (1) (b) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2000 respectively.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Consequently, prosecution the counsel Joseph Uzo requested for a date for trial. He also requested that the defendants be remanded in prison custody pending the commencement of trial.

Justice Dabup adjourned the case to May 11, 2018. However, the defendants were allowed to continue with the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.

They are further required to sign an undertaking to make themselves available at the trial date.