BREAKING: Court Jails APC Chieftain For Vote Buying

Court Jails APC Chieftain For Vote Buying

In a significant legal development, the Lagos High Court in Ikeja has handed down a one-year jail term or a fine of N1 million to Wahab Hammed, a ward leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos. CONTINUE READING

This comes after Justice Ismail Ijelu found Hammed guilty on a two-count charge of conspiracy and bribery, particularly for his involvement in corruptly paying bribes during the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly Elections. The court sentenced him following his guilty plea, emphasizing the need to sanitize the electoral process and expressing the view that a custodial sentence may serve as a deterrent against future misconduct.

The prosecution, led by Samuel Daji, detailed that Hammed, in collaboration with another individual, attempted to influence voters at Unit 28, Gbaja Girls Junior High School, Surulere, on February 25, 2023. The charges contravene sections 121 (1) and (5) and 1 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022. Hammed’s guilty plea and subsequent conviction underscore the commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral system.

During the trial, the court admitted as evidence Hammed’s voluntary statements and the N121,000 in N500 denominations recovered from him during an EFCC operation. The defendant acknowledged that the funds were given to him by a Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman of Surulere Local Government, further admitting to distributing part of the money to bribe voters in favor of the APC.

In his allocutus, Hammed pleaded for mercy, citing health issues and expressing remorse for his actions. His counsel, Mr. Olaniyi Ademola, highlighted Hammed’s voluntary guilty plea and his status as a first-time offender. CONTINUE READING

Justice Ijelu, while recognizing Hammed’s remorsefulness and lack of a criminal record, stressed the need to deter misconduct in the electoral process. The court exercised discretionary power, imposing a one-year jail term or a N500,000 fine on each of the two counts against Hammed. Additionally, he is required to forfeit the proceeds of the crime to the Federal Government and provide a written undertaking to the EFCC, committing to future good behavior and abstention from criminal activities. The verdict serves as a strong message against electoral malpractice and underscores the judiciary’s role in maintaining the sanctity of democratic processes.

Source: Bushradiogist