No fewer than 200 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were queried for allegedly collecting bribes during elections in 2015.
About N23.29billion allegedly paid to INEC officials in a desperate bid to change the result of the election, which President Muhammadu Buhari won. cash, according to investigators, came from the former Oil Minister Diezani Alison-MADUEKE.
A panel headed by National Commissioner Baba Shetiima ARFO is investigating the alleged involvement of some employees INEC scam.
In addition to internal sanctions by INEC, those found wanting after the probe should be drawn to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for prosecution.
One of those under interrogation for the scam, former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Gesil Khan, has applied to travel abroad for medical care.
Khan is under investigation by the EFCC for allegedly collecting N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe.
The anti-graft agency is weighing whether to release his travel documents were seized or not, because some suspects are hidden under medical trips to escape trial.
Alison-MADUEKE EFCC was under probe over his alleged involvement in the $ 115m (N23, 299,705, 000 billion) scandal.
Four oil firms, 14 directors of oil companies, two banks, two RECs, INEC over 16 directors and 82 others were also under investigation.
INEC is considering a report submitted to it by the EFCC.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: "About 200 employees INEC have been implicated in one way or another in the poll bribery scandal which now queried.
"The question is based on the report of the investigation, which was conducted by the EFCC."
Besides, a panel headed by a National Commissioner, Alh. Baba Shetiima ARFO, was grilling all affected employees - in line with the extant policy public service.
"It was after the panel has concluded its work with a disciplinary action is taken against the guilty people. After that, the EFCC will proceed with the trial of a case to answer," the source said, adding:
"It is too early to conclude that all of the 200 employees would be tried. Only they are going through an internal fact-finding process in INEC."
The source added: "The panel is actually getting to the mating employees based in six geopolitical zones.
"The employees, after answering queries, comes from INEC headquarters to appear before the panel."
An EFCC source told the agency is ready for testing some of the suspects, but "it needs to allow INEC to finish its internal processes."
"Some suspects acted in collusion with INEC employees and you can not separate the case at hand," the source said, asking not to be named so as not to jeopardize the investigation.
by INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Wole Osaze, Uzzi said: "A panel is sitting but I can not confirm the total number of people involved. But all of those involved will be dealt with administratively without prejudice to what the law enforcement agency will do. "
But the fate of serving a Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sylvester Ezeani, can be determined by the President Muhammadu Buhari.
Neither INEC chairman or the panel may take any disciplinary action against a REC.
Section 3 of the INEC Establishment Act says:
(1) "The chairman and members of the Commission shall each hold office for five years and on such terms and conditions as may be specified in their letters of appointment.
(2) "A member may at any time be removed from office by the President for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other reason) or for any act of misconduct but should not be removed from office except in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
(3) "A member may resign his membership by notice in writing addressed to the President and members shall, on the date of receipt of notice of the President, cease to be a member. "
Khan's application to EFCC to travel abroad for medical care came when his investigation was said to have reached "an advanced stage for the trial."
The EFCC source added: "At one time we were set for trial ex-REC Gesil Khan, we've got an application from him to travel abroad for medical care. He wanted the commission to release her passport.
"Our medical team will go through his notes and make appropriate recommendations which the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, will exercise its discretion.
"We can also give him the conditions, including the surveillance by cooperation agencies in whichever country he is traveling. We had instances where some suspects who were allowed to travel abroad will not return. "
Some INEC officials grilled by the EFCC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abia State, Sylvester Ezeani, refund N20million credit him from poll cash; Khan for collecting N185, 842,000 out of a deal N681million bribe; Fidelia Omoile (Electoral Officer in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State) -N112,480,000; Uluochi Obi Brown (INEC's Administrative Secretary to the Delta State) -N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director of INEC in Cross River state, Edem Okon Effanga-N241,127,000 and Head of the Voter Education INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo-N214,127,000.
Also, a retired INEC officials, Sani One is grilled over alleged bribe N 406206000 allegedly collected on behalf of the deceased Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Mukaila.
Those are grilled in Gombe: Godwin Gambo Maiyaki Balanga, Bukar Alone Benisheik, Dukku, Jibril. B. Muhammed, Billiri, Dunguma Musa Dogona, Funakaye, Mohammed. A. Wanka, Kaltungo, ISHAKU Yusuf, Kwami, Suleiman Isawa, Nafada, Babagana delicate, Shongom, and Samuel Nuhu, Y / Deba.
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