Double Registration: INEC Reveals Fresh Action To Be Taken On Gov. Yahaya Bello

The  National Commissioner and Chairman of Voters Education and Information Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye has finally spoken up the alleged offense of double registration committed by  Governor of Kogi state Mr. Yahaya Bello.

Naija News recalls that the governor was accused of committing the offence of double registration by registering as a voter on May 23, 2017, at the government house in Lokoja after he had reportedly registered as a voter in Abuja in 2011.

However, addressing the issue, Mr. Okoye disclosed that the Kogi State governor is currently shielded by the immunity clause, which protects him against any form of prosecution. He also revealed that the offense of the double registration would be addressed at the expiration of the governor’s immunity – when he leaves office.

Okoye 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 workers 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.”

Queried if the governor was indicted by preliminary investigations, Okoye said: “There are various stages involved. You have to investigate, prosecute and convict or acquit. You cannot just conclude that one is guilty or innocent without exhausting the entire process. So, when we get to that bridge, we will cross it.”