The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized N32.4 million in fresh notes that they believe are to be used in Lagos to buy votes.
The anti-graft organization said in a tweet on Friday that authorities had also detained a suspect and were questioning him.
“The massive operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to deter vote trading and other financial malfeasance ahead of tomorrow’s presidential and national assembly elections may have begun paying dividends with the interception in Lagos of the sum of N32,400,000 allegedly suspected to be used for vote buying in Lagos,” the statement read.
“The recovery was made by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Commission. The suspect involved has been taken into custody for further questioning.”
Abdulrasheed Bawa, the chairman of the EFCC, urged members of the anti-corruption organization assigned to the task of election monitoring to act courageously.
Bawa also urged them to avoid creating conditions that would allow dishonest individuals to compromise the integrity of the polls by offering money inducements.
“Tactical teams of operatives are currently on the ground in all the states of the federation and the FCT. Telephone hotlines have already been circulated through social media for members of the public to share information regarding financial malpractices with agents of the Commission.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report anyone trying to buy or sell votes by making use of the EFCC financial crimes reporting App, Eagle Eye, which is available for download on the Google Play or Apple store,” the statement added.
EFCC Intercepts N32.4m Allegedly Meant for Vote-buying in Lagos
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) February 24, 2023
The massive operation by the EFCC to deter vote trading and other financial malfeasance ahead of tomorrow's presidential and national assembly elections may have begun paying dividends… pic.twitter.com/btYopNaqYH
Earlier, security operatives arrested a federal lawmaker, Dr. Chinyere Igwe, with $498,100 on suspicion of attempted vote buying and money laundering.
The lawmaker who represents Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2 in the House of Representatives was arrested along Aba Road in the state capital on Thursday.
These incidents come amid a scarcity of the new naira notes, subjecting millions of Nigerians to hardship. The situation also triggered protests in some states with aggrieved citizens barricading major roads to register their displeasure.