The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday charged two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff before a Chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt for alleged electoral offences.
The Rivers INEC staff were nabbed by the DSS in an attempt to sell PVCs. MR Ifiesimama Monday and Mr Beesor Sorle are those accused of attempting to steal and sell about 3,097 PVC’S to an unknown man named Ogolo. Reports have it that Darlington Ogolo, was also arraigned alongside the INEC officials.
Ogolo, was said to have bribed Ifiesimama with a sum of N300,000, while he paid Sorle a bribe of N120,000 for the PVCs. The accused persons are facing eight counts charge of conspiracy, bribery, theft and fraud in suit number PHC/313C/19. The prosecuting counsel,Mr Eze Calistus has revealed that the accused people committed the crime between May and August last year.
He further said their acts went against Sections 98 (4) (1) and Section (A) (1) of the Criminal Code Law of Rivers state. He also pointed out that the offence also violated Section 120 (1) (d) and Section 117 (1) (e) of the Electoral Act 2010.
Reports also have it that the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the allegations. Chief Magistrate S.D. Andrew Jaja, however, admitted the three accused persons to bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with a surety each in same amount.
He thereafter adjourned the matter until Feb. 20, for hearing.
