Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa, with agency report
Bayelsa State Government has appealed to the Nigeria Police Force to prosecute persons arrested for various electoral offences during the last general election in different parts of the state.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser II to the Governor on Security Matters, Mr. Akpoebi Agberebi, yesterday, the state government said suspected electoral offenders should not be allowed to go scot free.
According to him those arrested for being in possession of multiple Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and other electoral materials should face the wrath of the law as prescribed in the Electoral Act.
Agberebi who wondered why the police had kept sealed lips on the arrests made during the election added that the state police command has a responsibility not to overlook brazen act of criminality against the state.
“The government position is that the police should not sweep this violation of the electoral law under the carpet. The police should promptly charge the two suspects to court as only such step would prevent desperate politicians from further violating the laws of the land” he said.
In reaction, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Asinim Butwats said they are compiling the list of those to be prosecuted and assured that all the suspects are in police custody said and that after conclusion of the supplementary elections on Saturday, March 23, police would prosecute suspected electoral offenders.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission, Dr. Peter Singabele, gave a detailed account of how he was brutalised by APC thugs before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Violence, Mayhem and Breach of Peace before, during and after the general election in Yenagoa, yesterday.
Singabele who was the 29th witness to appear before the panel said he was attacked by the APC House of Representatives candidate, and his thugs at Peretorugbene Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area on February 24. He stated that the thugs assaulted by throwing him on the ground at the Collation Centre when he went to observe the process as a key stakeholder. The Civil Service Commission boss said the incident left him with various bruises which were treated at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.