The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has confirmed the arrest of 20 individuals over various electoral offences linked to the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory area council elections.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency said the suspects were apprehended across different parts of the FCT for offences that included vote buying, vote selling, and obstruction of electoral officials.
The total amount of money allegedly involved in the offences was put at ₦17,218,700.
According to the commission, one of the suspects was caught with ₦13,500,000 inside a vehicle parked close to a polling unit in Kwali Local Government Area.
The breakdown of arrests showed that two suspects were apprehended in Abaji, nine in Gwagwalada, four in Kuje, and another four in Kwali.
The EFCC stated that the suspects would face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Independent National Electoral Commission conducted elections across the six area councils of the FCT to fill chairmanship and councillorship positions.
In addition to the FCT polls, by-elections were held in Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies in Rivers State.
Elections also took place in the Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State.
What You Should Know
The EFCC arrested 20 suspects for alleged electoral offences during the February 21, 2026, FCT area council elections, recovering over ₦17 million linked to vote buying and related crimes.
The suspects were picked up across Abaji, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali, and will be prosecuted after investigations are completed.
Meanwhile, INEC conducted chairmanship and councillorship elections in the FCT, alongside by-elections in Rivers and Kano states.
