The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has asked Akhigbe Oserogho, a lawyer, to pay N94 million for the photocopying and certification of different documents used in a local government area (LGA) election conducted in September.
Oserogho had previously requested to see the different result sheets and electoral documents used in the LGA election held on September 2 in Ikpoba-Okha LGA of Edo State.
In response, EDSIEC via a September 21 letter signed by Sunday Osayande, its administrative secretary, told Oserogho to pay N94,381,340 to its accounts department so the documents could be photocopied and handed to him.
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“With reference to your letter dated September 15th, 2023, on the above subject, I am directed by the Board of the Commission to advise you to apply to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a certified true copy of the Voters Register used by EDSIEC for the conduct of the elections in the ten (10) Wards of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area,” the response which addressed Oserogho read in part.
“I am further directed to inform you that you are to pay the sum of Five Hundred Naira) for the certification of each of the ballot papers used in the conduct of the elections in Ikpoba-Okha LGA. You will also be required to pay the sum of N30.00 to photocopy each Form C, D, D2 and E used in the said election.
“To this end, you are to pay the sum of N94,381,340.00 (Ninety-four million, three hundred and eighty-one thousand, three hundred and forty naira) only to the Account Department of the Commission for the photocopying and certification of the different result sheets used in the election as requested by you.”
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The cost of the request has already raised eyebrows within hours of its release on social media.
Chidi Odinkalu, a Nigerian professor of Law with the Fletcher School at Tufts University, claimed the response showed profound lawlessness.
“Please take a little time to read this and you will understand how profoundly lawless elections at all levels in Nigeria have become. This is the natural result of the lawlessness of judicial decisions concerning elections in the country,” Odinklalu stated when he shared EDSIEC’s response on Monday.
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