Senior legal figures, including Femi Falana (SAN) and Dr. Kolawole Olaniyan, Legal Adviser at Amnesty International Secretariat, have called on the Federal Government to adhere to two significant court rulings obtained by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The first ruling, issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 18, mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold governors and their deputies accountable for electoral violence, bribery, vote-buying, and other offences during the 2023 general elections.
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The court directed INEC to appoint independent counsel to investigate these cases and ensure thorough and effective prosecution of the offenders.
The second ruling, delivered on June 27 by the Federal High Court in Lagos, compelled former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, to disclose details about the N729 billion distributed to 24.3 million Nigerians.
The court required Umar-Farouk to provide a list of beneficiaries, details of payments, and information on the states covered.
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In response, SERAP has urged INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to implement the court’s orders and work with law enforcement agencies to prosecute electoral offenders.
They also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure transparency and compliance regarding the N729 billion spending, stressing that adherence to these judgments is crucial for reinforcing democratic processes and combating corruption.
Falana and Olaniyan praised the court rulings as pivotal for promoting transparency and accountability.
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They urged the Tinubu administration to use these judgments as a foundation for addressing corruption and ensuring justice for victims of electoral offences.
Falana described SERAP’s actions as patriotic and essential for addressing systemic corruption, while Olaniyan emphasized the need for consistent enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
