Tribunal grants CPC leave to inspect election materials •INEC staff arrested

The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal which commenced sitting in Minna, Niger State on Monday has granted leave to the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the gubernatorial standard-bearer in the April 2011 general election, Ibrahim Bako Shettima, to inspect all materials used in the elections in the 25 local government areas of the state.

Ruling on an expert motion brought before the tribunal by the counsel for the petitioners, Mr U. Idachaba, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice P. O. Nnadi also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “deliver to the petitioners or its agents certified true copies of ballot papers result sheets” used in the election.

Other documents to be put at the disposal of the petitioner, as directed by Nnadi include:forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8D, and EC8E as well as voter registers, distribution of materials list and other documents used in all polling units, wards, local government areas or intended to be used in the April 26 governorship election in Niger State.

Meanwhile, members of Kagara community in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, the police and officials of INEC have disagreed on the motive of an INEC staff arrested in Kagara on Sunday.

Some members of the community arrested the INEC staff in the commission’s office while trying to smuggle out some ballot boxes and ballot papers used in the last House of Assembly election.

The community members who were said to have beaten the INEC staff to a state of stupor believed he was trying to doctor the ballot papers. They later handed him over to the police after he had allegedly asked for “forgiveness”.

The Police in Minna confirmed the arrest but disclosed he was released when investigations into his activities were found to be official.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Oguche Richard Adamu said “we were told INEC is a party in a case before the tribunal and they have to put their records straight” adding that “he (INEC staff) never told us he went there on a Sunday.”

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