EFCC Nabs 20, Seizes ₦17m Over Vote Buying in FCT Elections

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 20 suspects over alleged vote buying and other electoral offences during Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, the anti-graft agency disclosed that its operatives recovered more than ₦17 million in cash from some of the suspects during coordinated enforcement operations across the territory.

According to the EFCC, arrests were recorded in Kwali, Abaji, Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils, with offences ranging from vote buying and vote selling to the unlawful possession of large sums of cash near polling units.

The commission revealed that one suspect was intercepted with ₦13.5 million inside a vehicle parked close to a polling unit in Kwali Area Council, raising strong suspicion that the money was intended for voter inducement. Other suspects were arrested with varying amounts of cash allegedly meant to influence voters during the election.

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The EFCC said the operation was part of its pre-election and election-day deployment aimed at curbing the influence of money in the electoral process and strengthening electoral integrity in the nation’s capital.

“All suspects arrested will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the commission stated, reiterating that vote buying and selling are criminal offences under Nigeria’s laws.

The FCT Area Council elections recorded low voter turnout, while allegations of electoral malpractice emerged from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), whose candidates lost in several councils.

Despite the controversy, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dominated the polls, winning five of the six chairmanship seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured victory in Gwagwalada Area Council.

The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to free, fair and credible elections, warning politicians, party agents and voters that the commission would continue to deploy operatives to monitor elections and prosecute offenders.

EFCC Nabs 20, Seizes ₦17m Over Vote Buying in FCT Elections

El-Rufai Sues ICPC for ₦1bn Over Alleged Illegal Raid on Abuja Residence

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has instituted a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged unlawful invasion and search of his Abuja residence.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, El-Rufai is asking the court to invalidate a search warrant issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, describing it as defective, vague, and unconstitutional.

The former governor, through his legal team led by Oluwole Iyamu, argued that the warrant lacked specificity, contained material drafting and typographical errors, was overbroad, and was issued without probable cause, thereby violating his constitutional right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

El-Rufai named the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents in the suit.

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According to court documents, operatives of the ICPC and Nigeria Police Force allegedly invaded El-Rufai’s residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2:00 p.m., acting under the disputed warrant. He claimed the operation amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental rights, including the right to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy, as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution.

The former governor further urged the court to rule that any evidence obtained during the search is inadmissible, having been procured through an illegal and unconstitutional process. He also sought an injunction restraining the respondents from relying on, using, or tendering any items seized during the operation.

As part of his reliefs, El-Rufai demanded ₦1 billion in damages, broken down into ₦300 million as compensatory damages for psychological trauma and emotional distress, ₦400 million as exemplary damages to deter future misconduct by law enforcement agencies, and ₦300 million as aggravated damages for what he described as the malicious, high-handed, and oppressive conduct of the respondents. He also requested ₦100 million as cost of litigation, covering legal fees and associated expenses.

In his legal arguments, Iyamu maintained that the warrant violated provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, particularly Sections 143–148, as well as Section 36 of the ICPC Act, 2000. He argued that the warrant failed to clearly describe the items to be seized, was improperly addressed, and lacked the sworn information required to justify its issuance.

An affidavit in support of the application, deposed to by Mohammed Shaba, stated that officers involved in the raid did not submit themselves for search, seized personal documents and electronic devices, and have failed to return the items. He added that the incident caused humiliation, distress, and psychological trauma to the former governor.

The case is expected to test the limits of search-and-seizure powers of anti-graft and law enforcement agencies, as well as reinforce judicial scrutiny over the use of search warrants in high-profile investigations.

El-Rufai Sues ICPC for ₦1bn Over Alleged Illegal Raid on Abuja Residence

Relief for Dispatch Riders as FCTA Suspends Permit Levy Enforcement

The Transportation Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has suspended the enforcement of the controversial Drivers and Riders Permit Levy, pending further engagement with relevant stakeholders.

The directive was issued by the Mandate Secretary of the Transportation Secretariat, Chinedum Elechi, in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of First Capital Cargo Ltd, the firm contracted to collect the levy.

According to the letter obtained in Abuja on Monday, the decision followed a meeting held on February 19 with leaders of the Association of Dispatch Riders in the FCT, during which concerns over multiple taxation were raised.

“Following the meeting with the leaders of the Association of Dispatch Riders in the FCT, and the concerns of multiple taxation by various authorities raised during the meeting, you are by this letter directed to suspend the enforcement of collection of the Drivers and Riders Permit Levy, pending further engagement with all relevant stakeholders,” Elechi stated.

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“Please ensure this directive is accorded the needed attention and compliance.”

The development comes days after thousands of dispatch riders stormed the FCT Administration Secretariat in Abuja in protest, alleging extortion and excessive levies imposed by different authorities.

The riders had appealed directly to the Nyesom Wike, urging him to intervene and halt what they described as an unfair financial burden on their operations.

According to the protesters, dispatch riders already pay a ₦13,000 annual levy to the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari Area Council, and Gwagwalada Area Council. This, they said, is in addition to the newly introduced ₦25,000 Drivers and Riders Permit Levy by the FCTA Transportation Secretariat.

They further claimed that riders are required to pay a ₦300 ticket each time they enter markets within Abuja, a situation they argue amounts to multiple taxation and significantly increases the cost of doing business.

Stakeholders within the transport and logistics sector have welcomed the suspension, describing it as a relief measure and a step toward resolving lingering disputes between government agencies and dispatch riders. They stressed the need for a harmonised levy system that avoids duplication and protects livelihoods while ensuring proper regulation.

The FCTA has assured that consultations will continue with dispatch riders’ associations, area councils, and other relevant authorities, adding that any final decision on the levy will be communicated through official government channels.

Relief for Dispatch Riders as FCTA Suspends Permit Levy Enforcement