Three INEC staff arraigned for alleged N138m bribe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday arraigned the Administrative Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gombe State, Tarkumbur G. Gregory, and two retired staff of the electoral body, Yunusa Ali Biri and Bunu Mulima.

They were brought before Justice Abubakar Jauro of the Gombe State High Court on three count charge bordering on alleged receipt of gratification to the tune of N138 million to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential elections.

The money was part of the slush fund allegedly given out by a former Minister of Petroleum Resource, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to influence the outcome of the 2015 general election.

The offence was committed between March and May 2015, in contravention of Section 9 (1) (2) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges read them.

In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, urged the court to fix a date for trial.

While adjourning the case to November 1 and 2, 2017 for hearing, Justice Jauro admitted the accused persons to bail on the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted them by the EFCC.