Skip to main content Skip to footer 
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to enforce a court judgment ordering INEC to investigate and prosecute electoral offences committed by state governors, their deputies, and others during the 2023 general elections.
The judgment, delivered on July 18, 2024, by Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu, followed a mandamus lawsuit brought by SERAP. In a letter dated September 28, 2024, signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group expressed frustration over INEC’s inaction, stating, “It is unacceptable for INEC to take the court, which is the guardian of justice in this country, for a ride.”
SERAP emphasized that INEC’s failure to act encourages electoral bribery and violence, undermining Nigeria’s electoral process and democracy. The letter urged INEC to comply with the court’s ruling within seven days, warning that SERAP would consider contempt proceedings if INEC continued to ignore the judgment.
The judgment requires INEC to investigate allegations of electoral bribery, vote-buying, and violence during the 2023 elections, and prosecute the perpetrators, including state governors and deputies. Justice Egwuatu ruled that INEC must appoint independent counsel to lead the investigations and enforce the provisions of the Electoral Act.
SERAP criticized INEC’s failure to address these issues, particularly in the aftermath of recent electoral violence in Edo State. The organization believes that enforcing the judgment will restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and ensure accountability.
