Operatives of Nigeria’s Anti-graft Agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have arrested 3 persons suspected of vote buying during the Osun State Gubernatorial election, South West Nigeria.
The Agency’s spokesperson Mrs Azuka Ogugua disclosed this in a press statement on Saturday.
The Statement said, “At Ife North-Central Local Government Councils, Osun East Senatorial District, precisely at Polling Unit 7, Iremo Ward IV, Dapo Olayode (M) was arrested by one of the Commission’s teams Olayode was arrested with a list containing the names of voters while an Android phone was also collected from him.”
Also, at Egbedore Local Government, Osun West Senatorial District, precisely in Polling Unit 003, Ward 10, Osunbukola Junction, Kamorudeen Nafisat (F) and Ojuade Musbau Olaniyi (M) were arrested by another team for alleged vote buying.
The statement noted that, one Android Phone and a notebook containing a list of names of voters were recovered from them.
A third team was attacked by a popular thug and his gang while attempting to effect the arrest of a vote buyer.
“The attack was at Polling Unit 1, Ward 7, opposite Polaris Bank, in front of Oba’s Palace, Esa-Oke, Ibokun Local Government Area.”
“The vote buyer was caught with a list containing names of 100 persons expecting to be paid N5000 each.” The statement said.
The team leader sustained a serious injury in the fracas that ensued, but the team was able to retrieve the book containing the list of 100 voters.
The statements of all the suspects are being taken under caution, and investigations are still ongoing.
Olusola Akintonde