THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Saturday said its operatives arrested three suspected vote buyers during the governorship election in Osun State.
In a statement by spokesperson Azuka Ogugua, the ICPC said the arrests were made at Ife North and Ife Central local government areas.
“At Ife North and Central Local Government Councils, Osun East Senatorial District, precisely at Polling Unit 7, Iremo Ward IV, one Dapo Olayode (M) was arrested by one of the Commission’s teams. Olayode was charged with a list containing voters’ names while an Android phone was also collected from him.
“At Egbedore Local Government, Osun West Senatorial District, precisely in Polling Unit 003, Ward 10, Osunbukola Junction, Kamorudeen Nafisat (F) and Ojuade Musbau Olaniyi (M) were arrested by another team for alleged vote buying. Items collected from the duo included one Android Phone and a notebook containing a list of names of voters,” the Commission said
According to the statement, some ICPC operatives were attacked by a popular thug and his gang while attempting to effect the arrest of a vote buyer.
“The attack was at Polling Unit 1, Ward 7, opposite Polaris Bank, in front of Oba’s Palace, Esa-Oke, Ibokun Local Government Area. The vote buyer was caught with a list containing names of 100 persons expecting to be paid N5000 each.
“The team leader sustained serious injury in the fracas that ensued, but the team was able to retrieve the book containing the list of 100 voters,” the statement added.
The Commission said the statements of all the suspects are being taken.
It added that investigations are ongoing.
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