25 May INEC to partner ICPC to prosecute candidates with forged academic credentials
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to prosecute candidates of political parties that submit forged academic credentials.
The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, stated this at a meeting on the Collaboration for Effective Tax Compliance of Political Office Holders, convened at the instance of the Joint Tax Board (JTB).
Other agencies were represented at the meeting, including the Chief Executive Officers of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Code of Conduct Bureau.
Yakubu said beyond the nullification of elections of candidates that submitted fake or forged credentials, he believed that such individuals should be prosecuted.
“We are already collaborating with the ICPC which is prosecuting candidates who submitted fake or forged academic credentials to INEC, as a result of which elections were nullified by the Election Petition Tribunals.
“Beyond the nullification of elections, such persons should be prosecuted. And I am happy that the ICPC is handling that responsibility.
“Let me assure you that INEC is in collaboration with ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau in our efforts to make Nigeria a better place and to ensure that persons who are elected comply with the laws of the land and are suitably qualified to hold public trust.
“Nigeria must be a democratic nation for all and not just a plutocracy for a few people, who end up evading taxes.
“So I want to thank you and be rest assured of our willingness to collaborate with you,” Yakubu said.
Yakubu said there was no specific law that made it mandatory for candidates for election, to present evidence of tax payment, before they could contest an election.
He, however, pledged INEC’s commitment to relevant agencies, to ensure that public office holders complied with the country’s constitution and relevant laws, including tax.
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