George Ozalla
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested three persons for alleged vote buying during Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.
According to officials of the anti-graft agency, the arrests were made in separate locations following intelligence reports that some individuals were distributing cash to induce voters. The suspects were apprehended with evidence of money and incriminating materials linking them to the offence.
Those arrested include Emeka Ilokasia, who was caught at Ward 2, Njikoka Local Government Area; Nwachukwu Loretta, picked up at Ward 2, Polling Unit 008, Awkuzu, in Oyi Local Government Area; and Emuka Chuwudi, arrested at Umunachi village in Dunukofia Local Government Area. EFCC operatives said they were found in possession of envelopes containing cash allegedly meant to influence voters.
Eyewitnesses at the scene told journalists that the suspects had been moving around polling centres quietly approaching voters before security operatives swooped in. Officials said the arrests were part of EFCC’s nationwide election monitoring exercise aimed at curbing financial inducement and enforcing the Electoral Act’s provisions against vote trading.
The EFCC team, drawn from the Enugu Zonal Command, maintained surveillance across strategic locations in the state throughout the election day. One senior operative said that the commission had received several credible reports about attempts by political agents to buy votes, leading to swift intervention in the affected areas.
All three suspects are currently in EFCC custody and are assisting investigators. The Commission said they will be arraigned after thorough investigation and analysis of materials recovered from them, including cash, voter cards, and handwritten lists suspected to be payment records.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to ensuring a transparent electoral process and warned political actors against any form of inducement or compromise. Security agencies have also been asked to strengthen monitoring during the collation phase to prevent further breaches.
Saturday’s election in Anambra was largely peaceful in most areas, though isolated cases of voter intimidation and minor disruptions were reported in a few polling units. The anti-graft agency’s swift response to vote buying allegations was seen as part of renewed efforts to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
