At Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Sunday, condemned President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami for violating the principle of secrecy of Nigerian votes.
Nigerians went to the polls to elect a new president and members of the National Assembly.
PREMIUM TIMES reported on Saturday that Messrs Buhari and Malami were seen displaying their thumb printed ballots in Katsina and Kebbi states.
Buhari, Malami, Ortom snub INEC warning, violate ballot secrecy
On the same road, the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, and Orji Kalu – the former governor of Abia State and former APC senator, displayed their thumb printed ballots with the highlights of voters in their respective polling units.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has banned the use of mobile phones and other photographic devices in polling booths to prevent the vote-buying that characterizes Nigerian elections.
“We condemn the actions of those who violated the secrecy of the ballot because they are not exemplary. If these people are indicted by INEC, we will prosecute them,” said NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, while fielding questions from journalists on Sunday.
Mr. Maikyau, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), noted that the NBA stands for the rule of law, adding, “nobody is above the law.”
However, Mr. Malami denied wrongdoing because he was only exercising his right to freedom of expression and not breaking the law.
The NBA mobilized 300 lawyers to help INEC prosecute election violators
The NBA said 300 lawyers have been mobilized to try people suspected of committing electoral offenses during the conduct of the general election.
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, on Saturday, disclosed the disruption of the polls caused by thugs.
But voting at more than 100 polling stations across the country had to be rescheduled for Sunday because of the violence.
Mr Maikyau said 300 lawyers would provide free legal services to INEC in an effort to bring perpetrators of violence and other offenses to justice.
Sunday’s event is part of the NBA’s interim report on the 2023 general election which is being observed across Nigeria.
He commended the military and civilian authorities for extending their support to INEC and the electorate during the polls.
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The INEC chairman praised the military for strengthening the police as thugs disrupted polling at several polling stations in Nigeria.
Mr. Maikyau appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and wait for the results of the polls as announced by the election umpire.
He said: “INEC is the statutory body responsible for announcing election results.”
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