41 arrested INEC officials in Imo yet to be seen

The whereabouts of about 41 staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrested last weekend during the rerun of the governorship election in Imo State for alleged thumb printing for a political party are still unknown Omuma in Oru East LGA.

Before the April 25th run off election, another 16 INEC staff including head of operation were arrested at the premises of INEC by men of State Security Service.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Job Doma who was deployed to the state for the election in company of Mr. Mike Igini on the day of the run-off election announced the arrest of the staff which has been confirmed by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Gabriel Ada, but said that those arrested were ad hoc staff of the commission.

Daily Trust gathered reliably that all the suspects may have been released the next day they were arrested.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Police Command Owerri, Andrew Enwerem, said he did not know the fate of the arrested INEC officials.

He said: “I don’t know if they have been released or not, are they supposed to contact me when they release them, I am in my own department, I don’t know what you are asking me.”

The Nigeria civil society group, Situation Room national president, Clement Nwankwo, at a press conference in Owerri yesterday decried the activities of the INEC staff during the election, but advised that thorough investigation should be conducted before handing out punishment.