An Ikeja High Court in Lagos State has handed down a one-year imprisonment sentence to Wahab Hammed for engaging in vote buying during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections held on February 25.CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

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Justice Ismail Ijelu pronounced the verdict on Thursday, December 7, 2023, imposing a one-year jail term and a fine option of N500,000 on each of the two counts brought against Hammed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

During the court proceedings, Justice Ijelu questioned the defendant about his understanding of the charges, to which Hammed affirmed his comprehension. After the defendant pleaded guilty to the charges on Wednesday, the judge found him guilty and subsequently convicted him.

The EFCC had accused the 70-year-old convict, an alleged All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, of involvement in vote buying and bribery, contravening the provisions of Sections 121 (1) and (5); 121 (1) and (3) of the Electoral Act 2022.

According to the Prosecution Counsel, Samuel Daji, Hammed had conspired with an individual named Segun Ijitola, who is still at large, to pay voters during the 2023 polls at Unit 28, Gbaja Girls Junior High School, Surulere.

During the review of facts and sentencing, the court directed an interpreter to assist Hammed, who claimed not to understand English or pidgin. The prosecutor recounted how operatives of the EFCC received intelligence about vote buying activities at Polling Unit 28 in Surulere, leading to the arrest of Hammed with N121,000.

The defendant pleaded for mercy, citing his age, lack of a criminal record, and health issues, including high blood pressure and ulcer. His defense counsel, Mr. Olabiyi Ademola, also appealed for leniency, emphasizing Hammed’s remorse and commitment to avoiding such criminal acts in the future.

Source: Bushradiogist