The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of no fewer than 11 suspects for various criminal offences during the 2023 general elections in the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, while parading the suspects at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, on Tuesday, said eight of the suspects were handed over to the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission for prosecution.
He also noted that the remaining suspects were prosecuted by the command, adding that exhibits including Permanent Voter Cards, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machine, ballot papers, weapons and charms, among others, were recovered from the suspects.
Giving a breakdown of the achievements, Hundeyin said five suspects were arrested for unlawful possession of PVC/diversion of sensitive election materials in the Mushin, Ojo, and Aswani areas of the state.
He said, “The suspects include Chisom Kalu, Charity Hannah, Mike Nwokehia, Elizabeth Adenike, and Joseph Agada. 114 PVCs, two ballot boxes, one BVAS machine and three ballot papers, were recovered from the suspects. The suspects were handed over to INEC for prosecution.”
In another development, Hundeyin confirmed the arrest of a suspect, Animashun Kabiru, for alleged possession of firearms in the Sabo area of the state.
He said, “Two jack knives, a small axe, pepper spray, one locally-made pistol, one dagger and charms were recovered from the suspect. The suspect will soon be prosecuted by the police.”
Also, during the governorship and state House of Assembly elections in the state, the PPRO said one Uche Chinedu was arrested for attempting to snatch a ballot box and in the process, used an animal horn to inflict injuries on some persons at a polling unit in the Ibeshe area of the state.
Hundeyin said, “Around 1.30pm on March 18, 2023, at Ibeshe town, where voting is ongoing, one Uche Chinedu, came to the polling unit in the company of his men and attempted to carry the ballot box, resulting in a serious argument in the community.
“Along the line, he used an object suspected to be an animal horn to wound some people at the polling unit. He was arrested, while the victims were hospitalised. The suspect was handed over to the INEC for prosecution.”
Similarly, for conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and unlawful possession of electoral materials suspected to be specimens, Hundeyin said one Sunday Awnunu was arrested at Idale town, in the Badagry area of the state.
He said, “On March 18, 2023, around 2.27pm, Sunday Awnunu, came to the Idale town hall polling unit to disrupt the electoral process. He was arrested by the police and 16 pieces of electoral papers (specimen) with 19 pieces of designed form that contain names and accounts at the polling unit were recovered from him. The suspect was handed over to INEC for prosecution.”
The PPRO, while confirming the arrest of one Omaji Kenneth, said on the day of the election, counting and sorting of ballot papers were ongoing at a polling unit on Olorunfemi Street, in the Oworonshoki area of the state, when he started threatening INEC officials to upload the election results despite the officials’ complaint of poor network.
“In the process, the suspect assaulted the police officer at the polling unit including the INEC official. The suspect was handed over to INEC for prosecution,” Hundeyin said.
Also, on March 16, 2023, around 2.20pm, Hundeyin said one Okeke Chinyere, was arrested with an INEC identity card tag for election duty within the Ipaja area of Lagos State.
Upon interrogation, the PPRO said the suspect claimed to have printed the tag from one James Akintola at a printing office in the Ipaja area of the state.
He added, “One Fujitsu laptop, 549 pieces of INEC identity card/tag with different inscriptions namely, Presiding Officer, Collating Officer etc, were recovered from them.”
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