Vote Buying: EFCC, INEC Will Go After Politicians, Parties, Says Magu
To work with banks to track transactions
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (INEC) has revealed that it is working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police to track politicians and individuals involved in vote buying during elections.
The anti-graft agency also disclosed that it had commenced monitoring of financial spending by political parties and politicians, saying the banks had been put on notice regarding transactions by politicians.
The acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, who stated this yesterday at an interactive session with journalists, said: “We are working with INEC to stop vote buying, we are seriously pursuing this.”
The EFCC boss, who said the commission would continue to operate within the ambit of the law, stated that it will work with banks to monitor transactions by politicians.
According to him, “We will monitor unusual cash withdrawals. We are going to work with other relevant agencies like the police on this.
“Before now, it was inconceivable for law enforcement agencies to investigate the sources of election funding of political parties and their candidates.
“This has led to gross financial abuse and the pervasion of the electoral process and consequently enthroned bad leadership which in turn led to corruption and bad governance.”
Asked why the commission was not investigating some high profile corruption cases involving prominent people, the EFCC boss denied such claims, stating that contrary to claims and insinuation in some circles, the commission is perfecting arrangements for the arraignment of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr. Babachir Lawal, and is on the trail of ‘wanted’ former Chairman Presidential task force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina .
He said the EFCC under him would never shield anyone from investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.
Magu also assured the populace that the commission would continue to be politically neutral in its operations and go after anybody or institution that we sufficiently believe to have a case to answer.
On the allegation of corruption at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Magu said the commission would give its report on the matter in two weeks’ time.
He denied claims that the commission had delegated the Ministry of Sports to investigate the matter, insisting that the probe was being handled by the commission.
“We will not spare anybody. We are investigating the matter, and within two weeks, we will give our report,” he explained.
Giving a scorecard of the commission’s performance, Magu disclosed that the anti-graft agency between January and August secured 158 convictions and recovered N106,516,222,383.68, $1,635,925.81, £629,193.65; €25,575.00.