Police nab INEC staff, recover millions in suspected by-election bribe

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and their driver over alleged electoral offences during the Federal Constituency Bye-Election held on Saturday, in Iperu Remo, Ogun State.

According to  the command, a police patrol team attached to the Iperu Remo Division intercepted a Mitsubishi Space Wagon with Lagos registration number AKD 887 HT at approximately 12:45 a.m. The vehicle had three occupants: Mr. Joe-Stans Toryem and Ms. Mandara Aminat—both identified as INEC officials—and their unnamed driver.

It was learnt that a search of the vehicle revealed a cash sum of ₦2.5 million in the possession of Mr. Toryem. Upon interrogation, he allegedly admitted that the money was handed over to him at Kehoy Hotel in Iperu by an individual known only as “Political Solution,” purportedly on the instruction of his supervisor.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command,  Lanre Ogunlowo, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for a thorough and discreet investigation.

Ogunlowo also assured  that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.