Police Arrests 104 Over Electoral Fraud In River State

 

                   The Rivers State Police Command said it had started the investigation of 104 suspects arrested during the general elections of March 28 and April 11.

The suspects were said to be involved in about 41 cases of election malpractices and other offences against the country.

                The command explained that the suspects were arrested during the presidential/ National Assembly and governorship/House of Assembly polls by security agents.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, said in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, that the suspects were arrested for allegedly being in possession of several Permanent Voter Cards, an offence punishable under the Electoral Act.

Muhammad explained that some ballot papers, ballot boxes and dangerous weapons were also recovered from some of the suspects.

He said, “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that while living up to its constitutional mandate of policing the recently concluded 2015 elections in the state has arrested some suspects for various alleged offences.

“Accordingly, the command is discreetly investigating 41 different cases involving 104 suspects arrested on election days from different parts of the state. The suspects were arrested for alleged offences against the Electoral Act 2010 or other extant laws of the nation.

“Items recovered from the suspects include multiple permanent voter cards, offensive weapons and electoral materials, including ballot papers and boxes.”

The suspects, according to the state police spokesman, will be arraigned in court immediately investigations are concluded.