The Ogun State Police Command announced on Saturday that two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and their driver were taken into custody for suspected electoral offences during the bye-election in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, the arrests were made during a midnight stop-and-search operation in Iperu. According to the report, at about 12:45 a.m., officers from the Iperu Remo Division stopped a Mitsubishi Space Wagon with registration number LAGOS AKD 887 HT. The vehicle had three occupants: Mr. Toryem Joe-Stans and Ms. Mandara Aminat, both INEC officials, along with their driver.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers recovered a cash sum of ₦2,500,000.00 from Mr. Joe-Stans. During questioning, he reportedly admitted that the money had been collected at Kehoy Hotel in Iperu from a man he identified only as “Political Solution,” claiming he received the directive from his supervisor.
The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has directed that the suspects be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Eleweran for a thorough investigation. He also assured the public that monitoring of the election remains ongoing and that updates on the inquiry will be communicated as findings progress.
What you should know
The arrest of INEC officials in Ogun State underscores the recurring concerns over electoral integrity in Nigeria.
The incident, tied to possession of a large cash sum during a sensitive political exercise, highlights the vigilance of security agencies during elections and the continuing challenge of curbing electoral malpractice.
