Nhrc Indicts Uduaghan, Osunbor, Shagari, Iwu, Over 2007/2011 Electoral Violence
BEVERLY HILLS, AUGUST 11, (THEWILL) – The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has indicted former governor of Delta state, Emmanuel Uduaghan; former minister of Water Resources, Mukhtari Shagari; and erstwhile chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Maurice Iwu, for alleged electoral offences committed in the 2007 and 2011 elections.
The commission, which also indicted former acting governor of Kogi State, Clarence Obafemi, and ex-governor Oserheimen Osunbor of Edo State, tasked the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police, INEC and other relevant institutions to take necessary steps on the report including prosecuting and ensuring that disciplinary measures were taken against those found wanting.
Senators Hosea Ehinlanwo and Ayo Arise, and the resident electoral commissioner in the 2011 election in Anambra state, Prof. C. E. Onukogu, are also among the 118 individuals from the political class and institutions found wanting by the commission in its report on ending electoral impunity.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, in the final report of past decisions in electoral cases which the NHRC released on Thursday under an exercise termed: 'Electoral Accountability Project/and Electoral Impunity Project', said the offences were committed in the 2007 and 2011 elections by the political class, individuals and various institutions that had the responsibility to conduct elections.
Noting that the report was a follow up to an earlier report presented in 2014 where a list of those indicted was forwarded to the AGF for necessary actions, he said, “With the finalisation of this report, that list has been upgraded and will also be sent to the AGF and state attorneys-general.
“We hope necessary steps will be taken to ensure that these people or institutions indicted are held accountable for their infractions during the 2007 and 2011 elections.”
Angwe stated that holding them accountable would surely curb electoral impunity in the country, stressing that unless steps were taken to deal with electoral impunity, the right to vote and be voted for and related rights would continued to be infringed upon.
He disclosed that the next step was for the commission to begin a holistic look into the 2015 election as well, adding that “The commission will soon commence public hearing to investigate those involved in hate speeches and violence in the 2015 election and even the 1999 elections.”