2023 Polls: Man Remanded For Alleged Vote Buying

On Wednesday, an Ikeja High Court ordered the remand of Wahab Hameed in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for charges of conspiracy and vote buying during the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

Justice Ismail Ijelu remanded the defendant after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and bribery brought by the EFCC.

The judge adjourned the trial until December 7 for a review of the facts and judgment.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), when the accusations were read to the defendant, he told the court that he couldn’t speak or understand English.

He requested that the allegations be read aloud to him in Yoruba.

Earlier, EFCC prosecutor Samuel Daji told the court that on Feb. 25, the defendant planned with one Segun Ijitola, who is now at large, to pay voters during the 2023 presidential and national assembly elections.

Daji stated that the defendant, an alleged All Progressives Congress member, committed the crime at Unit 28, Gbaja Girls Junior High School in Surulere.

According to the prosecutor, on the specified date, the defendant and his accomplice bribed voters at Unit 28.

Mr Olabiyi Ademola, the defence counsel, agreed to the adjournment of the case to December 7 and asked the court to keep his client in the custody of the EFCC.