With the completion of investigations into the Rivers re-run elections of December 10, 2016 by a joint Police, DSS team set up by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the DCP Damian Okoro led panel on Tuesday disclosed that the sum of #360million was given as bribe by the government of Rivers State, to 23 electoral officers to influence the election.
Okoro disclosed that out of the #360million bribe, the sum of #111million and #300, 000 was recovered from the electoral officers.
He said investigation revealed that each electoral officer got #15million each while the three senior electoral officers for the senatorial zones received an extra #5million each which brought the total to #20million.
The 23 INEC officers were subsequently arrested, detained and after making confessional statements, released on bail pending further investigations.
Explaining further Okoro said, “The panel was mandated to thoroughly investigate the various infractions, incidents and violence that marred the 10th December, 2016 parliamentary re-run elections in Rivers State and any relevant matter.
“The task given was quite challenging because of the tense political and security situation in the state especially the prevalence of violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping and politically motivated killings, by militant and cult groups that enjoy the funding and protection of desperate politicians.
“These lawless elements target not only the political opponents of their sponsors, but also law enforcement agents, especially the police, mostly within the Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema Local government area (ONELGA), which is the axis of evils of cultism
“The violence that occurred in Rivers state, before, during and after the re-run elections was a reflection of lawlessness and leadership failure of narrow minded politicians and their gullible supporters.
By this investigation, this panel has diligently unraveled what went wrong with the re-run elections in Rivers State, the details of which are contained in the report.
“We discovered that failure of leadership and followership rather than law enforcement, was responsible for political upheaval in the state.
“There was however some cases of misconduct on the part of some electoral officers and law enforcement agents, who unfortunately allowed themselves to be compromised in their line of duties and deserve to be disciplined appropriately.
“Consequently, the sum total of #111. 3million was recovered from INEC electoral officers (23 of them) out of a total of #360million at #15million each while 3 senior electoral officers got #5million extra.
Responding after receiving the report, IGP Ibrahim Idris disclosed that a report on the findings of the investigation will be made to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation for further action regarding prosecution.
“This investigation will put an end to do or die politics that is hampering democracy in Nigeria. It will put an end to misconduct among security agents and even among electoral officers especially the killing of security agents who are not politicians but only doing their job.
Idris vowed that appropriate actions will be taken against those indicted noting that the six police officers (Governor Wike’s Escorts) earlier dismissed for misconduct, will be prosecuted.
Reminded that Governor Wike and Rivers State government had alleged the panel had a pre-conceived plan which may have cast doubts about its findings, the IGP said, “As for the governor of Rivers State, this is democracy, there is freedom of speech, and everybody has freedom to say anything he likes. The panel went to meet him and in his wisdom, he refused to cooperate with them.
“But the investigation is a joint investigation of both the Police and the DSS. I believe Nigerian citizens will have confidence in the outcome of the investigation. Aside the security agencies, the office of the Attorney General will be involved. You cannot say these 3 agencies of arrest, investigation and prosecution cannot be relied on.
Reiterating that the level of indictment according to the report of the investigation cut across all politicians, INEC and security agents, the IGP expressed sadness that officers lost their lives in the election.
“Imagine 2 police officers being killed and be-headed. You need to see the gory pictures. I want to assure you that whoever is involved in the barbaric killing whether political parties, INEC officials or even the police, they will face the music.
