Femi Falana, a senior advocate and human rights lawyer in Nigeria, has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged 2 billion naira inducement that led to the controversial declaration of the winner of the Adamawa State supplementary elections. The candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Aishatu ‘Binani’ Dahiru, had been earlier declared the winner of the election by the embattled Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hudu Yunusa Ari.
However, Falana has called for an investigation into the alleged bribery and urged the officers who were involved in the declaration of Binani as the winner to be questioned and brought to book. He further stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission (ICPC) should be involved in the investigation to ensure that all those who breached the law are prosecuted.
According to Falana, the law stipulates strict sanctions for any form of electoral conspiracy, malfeasance, and financial inducement. He also demanded that the legal practitioner disciplinary committee of the Nigerian Bar Association in collaboration with INEC take disciplinary actions against the Adamawa REC, as he had brought the legal profession into disrepute.
Falana commended INEC for its swift action in suspending the REC, but added that unless actions are taken holistically, the impunity and aberrations would be repeatedly committed. He urged the IGP to speed up the investigation and called for the security officers involved to be investigated and prosecuted.
Falana emphasized that it is in the interest of the APC candidate to ensure that the matter is fully investigated, adding that false declarations of results have occurred before and that it is important to ensure that justice is served.
