- We Don't Have Powers To Investigate Lawmaker's Fraud Case - INEC

As Femi Gbajabiamila continues to sink to deeper in the scandal of the fraud case that occurred in the United States of America more than a decade ago, for which he was found guilty by the Supreme Court of Georgia, US, his biggest ally, President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) have kept mute.

It is not clear whether Buhari will call for a probe into the dinghy past of the lawmaker, whom the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, publicly claimed is Buhari's anointed candidate for the House of Representatives' speakership.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it does not have the constitutional power to investigate the allegations of fraud and conviction against Femi Gbajabiamila by a US court.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education and Information, Festus Okoye disclosed this when SaharaReporters inquired if the commission will withdraw the certificate of return of the lawmaker and prosecute him for lying on oath.

Okoye said that the commission did not have power to arrest or investigate the allegations levelled against the lawmaker.

Though he admitted that the commission is empowered to prosecute any electoral offenders if the commission receive a report to that effect from the appropriate authority.

He noted that it is a pre-election matter, adding that anybody or group who is aggrieved should make a formal complaint to the appropriate authority charged with the responsibility to make arrest and investigate.

Okoye stated that INEC has not received any formal report from any authority regarding the matter.

He pointed out that the commission had conducted elections and published the names of the winners and if there is an evidence that somebody is not qualified then the person should channel his complaint to the authority that is charged with that responsibility.

He stressed that the issue now is for the appropriate agencies to investigate the allegation before the commission can prosecute.

A public affairs analyst, Mr. Jide Ojo, stated that the issue of US conviction has become a recurring decimal, adding that it is not an issue that concerns INEC. He explained that it is only the court of competent jurisdiction that can make a consequential order on the matter.

Ojo noted that the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) should allow the court to decide the case on its merit. He maintained that it is only the court that can order the withdrawal of Gbajabiamila's certificate of return.

He argued that the electoral umpire cannot institute any investigation on the matter stressing that the Electoral Act only give the prosecutorial power to the electoral body.

The analyst wondered how the court can decide the case ahead of the inauguration of the ninth national assembly which has been slated for June 11, 2019.

Efforts to get the reaction of Mr. Smart Olanrewaju, Media Assistant to the Femi Gbajabiamila was unsuccessful as his mobile phone was switched off.

President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC ) have not made any official comment or statement regarding the matter.

Earlier on Wednesday the Femi/Wase Campaign Group at a press conference denied the allegations of Gbajabiamila's conviction and threatened to take a legal action against CUPP.

http://saharareporters.com/2019/06/05/buhari-apc-keep-mum-anointed-gbajabiamila-enmeshed-us-fraud-scam

There is no ex governor of Lagos state that didn't have problems over returns with tinubu in their first time.Ex gov fashola and ambode have both have financial sharing formula crisis with the jagaban.Sanwo olu should gear up with a battle with his godfather over Owo chairman.

Is there anyone in d APC who is clean? So long as U are a Tinubu's boy U are sure to have been involved in a whole lot of shady dealings and dey'll hold it over ur head as leverage until dey need it and don't need u anymore

INEC is playing ostrich. They have the forms the man filed since 2003. They can do better than waiting for a report

Why should he take igbo blogger serious. When he know them very clearly that they are just speculating nonsense.

All these pull him down publications will not work. Gbajabiamila is the next speaker of the House of Representatives and nothing can stop him this time around. Those behind this junk publication should give it rest cos it won’t stick. If you have any evidence of criminal conviction, go to court and get judgement instead of attempting to discredit him through false publications.

seunmsg:
All these pull him down publications will not work. Gbajabiamila is the next speaker of the House of Representatives and nothing can stop him this time around. Those behind this junk publication should give it rest cos it won’t stick. If you have any evidence of criminal conviction, go to court and get judgement instead of attempting to discredit him through false publications.

Is this all you have to say? It has been confirmed Gbaja was actually convicted by the US supreme court of Georgia.He would only be elected speaker of your village shrine

PaChukwudi44:

Is this all you have to say? It has been confirmed Gbaja was actually convicted by the US supreme court of Georgia.He would only be elected speaker of your village shrine

I’m happy you’re against Gbajabiamila. Now I’m very confident that he will be elected speaker. You’re always on the losing side and it won’t be different this time around. The Pachukwudi44 curse is about to hit Bago and others opposed to Gbajabiamila.

APC and hypocrite are like 5 and 6

In this case, they will not only keep mum but also keep dad

PaChukwudi44:

Is this all you have to say? It has been confirmed Gbaja was actually convicted by the US supreme court of Georgia.He would only be elected speaker of your village shrine

You are always on the loosing side.. Why?

Anyways, you against Gbaja confirmed he will win.. Your supportive records

Lie

Hypocrisy and Buhari are like 5 and 6

Nigeria politics of blackmail.
Funny thing is that they have all been involved in stealing/sharing Nigeria wealth .

Haha

That's their way

Nigeria Politicians are useless callous people they don't have the interest of Nigerians at heart

Una go come here come dey crucify naira Marley .

EFCC real food don set


Why is oshiomole always smiling like a mad man

APC is a Scam. Whoever they agreed on must be an old criminal

Gbajamila is the speaker.

imagine nonsense

Anytime Bubu keeps quiet then just know he knows and has given his blessings and if anyone doesn't like it it's their cup of tea

.Let Them Keep Playing Hide And Seek With Us, They Think We Dont Know The Truth...
Mr INTEGRITY Indeed!!!

Gbaja will lose again. Who wan bet?

seunmsg:


I’m happy you’re against Gbajabiamila. Now I’m very confident that he will be elected speaker. You’re always on the losing side and it won’t be different this time around. The Pachukwudi44 curse is about to hit Bago and others opposed to Gbajabiamila.

Guy, u are wicked o, u finish pachukwudi, just like that, u av ended that guy career mhen! "always on the loosing side". lolz

Champions league quarter final next season

Home Barcelona 5-0 Atalanta

Away Atalanta 6-0 Barcelona

PaChukwudi44:

Is this all you have to say? It has been confirmed Gbaja was actually convicted by the US supreme court of Georgia.He would only be elected speaker of your village shrine

He was not convicted.

seunmsg:


I’m happy you’re against Gbajabiamila. Now I’m very confident that he will be elected speaker. You’re always on the losing side and it won’t be different this time around. The Pachukwudi44 curse is about to hit Bago and others opposed to Gbajabiamila.

And when you see this guy talking so vociferously against atiku, you would think he loves this country, not knowing he is just an empty bigot.

He prefers his own brand of criminals to other brand of criminals.

Imagine how low we have sunk!tho I don’t have anything personal against this gbaja guy but I love the fact that they’re serving it too him hot hot how would you have a very shady past and still be overly ambitious same with that dancing senator ademola with a forged or no certificate stick to your majority leader position and you don’t have to opens the pandora’s box and your yansh open like this people like gbaja are the ones that makes criticizing yahoo boys a hard task cos they’re not any better 80% of present and former Nigerian politicians and leaders are criminals and crooks and 85% amassed Their huge wealth from shady dealings this doesn’t exclude the businessmen too. Afterall they would say the youths should act right when fraud and criminality is what they can mostly learn from this stupid leaders.I like this tho at least it would serve as a lesson to everyone that there’s consequence for every action and bad once can always come back and bite you on your ass,you can’t get away with iT!So Young ones act right in your Present so you won’t harm your future with your past