crime

IPAC Slams Electoral Act Over Weakened Penalties for Fraud

Published

7 months ago

March 26, 2026

IPAC Electoral Act criticism highlights concerns that new amendments reduce penalties for certificate forgery and vote buying, undermining democratic integrity

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has criticised the newly amended Electoral Act, warning that the law significantly reduces penalties for certificate forgery and vote buying, undermining democratic accountability.

Also read: Civil Society Urges Public Access to Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2026

National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle raised the concerns during a Wednesday interview on Arise Television Prime Time, calling the reduction in punishment “anti-democratic” and “dysfunctional.”

Dantalle noted that the legislation, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu shortly after its passage by the National Assembly, treats serious electoral offenses with undue levity.

“The person who will make laws and appointments cannot be elected through a feeble process. Penalties for infractions should not be trivialised,” he said.

He further argued that elections determine critical state leadership, including the Chief Security Officer responsible for public welfare and safety.

Reducing the severity of penalties for electoral fraud, Dantalle warned, compromises governance at the state and national levels.

IPAC also reiterated recommendations made during legislative consultations prior to the enactment of the law.

The council had urged that the appointment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman and commissioners be removed from executive influence and instead handled by an independent body of legal experts, civil society organisations, and political parties.

According to Dantalle, these recommendations were ignored.

Also read: Rufai Oseni Blasts Opposition Over Electoral Act

“The law must ensure that elections are free, fair, and credible. Anything less undermines democracy and public trust,” he said.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

10 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

Also read: NRS Assures Taxpayers VAT Remains at 7.5% Amid Tax Reform Concerns

The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.