Double Registration: Immunity Stopping Us From Prosecuting Yahaya Bello – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has vowed to prosecute the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, for double registration, an offence punishable by law under the electoral act.
Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman Voters Education and Information Committee, disclosed that Immunity was the reason Bello is yet to be prosecuted.
Okoye said the commission took the decision after a thorough investigation, which saw the dismissal of two staff members and suspension of a highly placed Assistant Director.
He said: “The case of double registration against the Kogi State governor has not been abandoned but there is nothing the Commission can do now because he is still under immunity. But by the time the immunity expires, the Commission will meet and take a decision on the next line of action.
“We started with our Staff who were implicated in the double registration first, while we have to wait until the governor ceases to enjoy immunity, which protects him against prosecution”.
However, Okoye refused to indict the governor, stating protocols have to be observed to determine the guilt or innocence of Yahaya Bello.
“There are various stages involved, you have to investigate, prosecute and convict or acquitt, you can not just conclude that one is guilty or innocent without exhausting the entire process. So when we get to that bridge we cross it,” he added.