The Independent and National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made an announcement that Governor Yahaya Bello will be prosecuted for double registration following the completion of his tenure. According to Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Voters Education and Information Committee, Governor Yahaya Bello’s immunity clause is currently protecting him from prosecution.
Okoye also disclosed that the decision to prosecute Yahaya Bello came after an investigation, which resulted in the dismissal of two staff members and the suspension of an Assistant Director at the electoral commission.
Regarding the case, Okoye stated, “The case of double registration against the Kogi State governor has not been abandoned but there is nothing the Commission can do now because he is still under immunity. But by the time the immunity expires, the Commission will meet and take a decision on the next line of action. We started with our Staff who were implicated in the double registration first, while we have to wait until the governor ceases to enjoy immunity, which protects him against prosecution.”
When questioned about whether the Kogi Governor was implicated in the investigation, the INEC Commissioner explained, “There are various stages involved, you have to investigate, prosecute, and convict or acquit, you cannot just conclude that one is guilty or innocent without exhausting the entire process. So when we get to that bridge we cross it.”