Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Machine SDC IT INEC officer, 4 others arrested in Ibadan in a hotel room with machines SDC 6 - Jega
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Attahiru Jega has confirmed that five people, including the INEC staff were arrested in connection with the illegal possession of three Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines in a hotel room Ibadan, Oyo State, and promised they would not go unpunished.
Jega who answered questions from members of civil society groups in Abuja, yesterday said that one of the suspects was a personal high of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry of the commission.
In addition, the Committee has scheduled a meeting with leaders of 63 political parties registered for today, to explain the voting procedure laid down for the elections and show the ballots and ballot boxes specimen. Commenting on the saga Oyo machine SDC, the INEC chairman said the commission is committed to prosecuting offenders. In this perspective, Jega said that IT staff had been replaced to restore confidence in the process.
"We sent someone to take charge of ICT, Ibadan, and we have certified the voter register which makes handling difficult attempt, he said, stressing that it was because the current commission has clearly from the beginning that it was no longer business as usual.
Describing the unfortunate development, "said Jega ICT staff acted without the consent of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Ayo Adakeja the official ICT was said to have taken leave of absence. By this ugly incident, the INEC chairman argued that it was clear there were still some bad eggs within the system whose behavior has been linked to smear the image of the commission.
He said: "What happened in Ibadan is very unfortunate. The Head of Unit ICT in Ibadan was caught in a hotel room with four other people who are not officials of INEC with DDC machines six. "Obviously, they were arrested; investigation is underway to try to determine whether he acted alone or had partners who are colleagues in the INEC or outside.
"So I think I speak with you today the picture is not complete, but the good thing is that you were trying to do something wrong and you were caught. "We now do our best to investigate and determine the extent to which the damage has been done with our data in Ibadan. I think that's all I can say for now. But obviously, we pledge to prosecute anyone who committed an offense. " Meanwhile, the Oyo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that none if its members were arrested in connection with the alleged scraping the register of electors to the state.
In a statement signed by the party's director of media and strategy, Mr. Thomas Morohunkola, the party has denied reports that some officials of the INEC in collaboration with some members of PDP were caught scraping the register of voters in 27 of the 33 local government areas in the state.
"And it's a very serious offense, we made decisions that we have already sent someone to take over as head of ICT in Ibadan so that all these investigations can be done and the work as we prepare for the elections to continue. "It is very unfortunate, I have already said there is no more than underline the fact that wherever you have thousands of people in an organization, there are inevitably those who are adventurous, and are fraudulent who, despite all you do, they are still criminal mind and determined to commit crimes.
"And the challenge for any organization is to have the ability to apprehend such criminals to punish them in accordance with the law. This is very unfortunate what happened. What's has done is to continue to motivate us to be more serious about the security and integrity of our data. " Jega further stated that "I started reading very uncomplimentary remarks on the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the newspapers. I want to state categorically that from the information I have now the officer acted without permission of the REC.
"In fact, he left the office people who still work at night to produce the register of voters say he was going home around 8:00 p.m. and left and obviously he left and went to the hotel commit any crime he was caught committing. "It is important that we await the outcome of investigations before bashing everyone."
On the preparations of INEC, he revealed that apart from the Committee of 530 Vans Hilux for the conduct of elections, it will soon take delivery of another 100 vehicles and 60 speed boats. Besides, Jega noted that Nigeria Air Force is ready to help in areas they can to make the elections a success.
Jega who answered questions from members of civil society groups in Abuja, yesterday said that one of the suspects was a personal high of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry of the commission.
In addition, the Committee has scheduled a meeting with leaders of 63 political parties registered for today, to explain the voting procedure laid down for the elections and show the ballots and ballot boxes specimen. Commenting on the saga Oyo machine SDC, the INEC chairman said the commission is committed to prosecuting offenders. In this perspective, Jega said that IT staff had been replaced to restore confidence in the process.
"We sent someone to take charge of ICT, Ibadan, and we have certified the voter register which makes handling difficult attempt, he said, stressing that it was because the current commission has clearly from the beginning that it was no longer business as usual.
Describing the unfortunate development, "said Jega ICT staff acted without the consent of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Ayo Adakeja the official ICT was said to have taken leave of absence. By this ugly incident, the INEC chairman argued that it was clear there were still some bad eggs within the system whose behavior has been linked to smear the image of the commission.
He said: "What happened in Ibadan is very unfortunate. The Head of Unit ICT in Ibadan was caught in a hotel room with four other people who are not officials of INEC with DDC machines six. "Obviously, they were arrested; investigation is underway to try to determine whether he acted alone or had partners who are colleagues in the INEC or outside.
"So I think I speak with you today the picture is not complete, but the good thing is that you were trying to do something wrong and you were caught. "We now do our best to investigate and determine the extent to which the damage has been done with our data in Ibadan. I think that's all I can say for now. But obviously, we pledge to prosecute anyone who committed an offense. " Meanwhile, the Oyo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that none if its members were arrested in connection with the alleged scraping the register of electors to the state.
In a statement signed by the party's director of media and strategy, Mr. Thomas Morohunkola, the party has denied reports that some officials of the INEC in collaboration with some members of PDP were caught scraping the register of voters in 27 of the 33 local government areas in the state.
"And it's a very serious offense, we made decisions that we have already sent someone to take over as head of ICT in Ibadan so that all these investigations can be done and the work as we prepare for the elections to continue. "It is very unfortunate, I have already said there is no more than underline the fact that wherever you have thousands of people in an organization, there are inevitably those who are adventurous, and are fraudulent who, despite all you do, they are still criminal mind and determined to commit crimes.
"And the challenge for any organization is to have the ability to apprehend such criminals to punish them in accordance with the law. This is very unfortunate what happened. What's has done is to continue to motivate us to be more serious about the security and integrity of our data. " Jega further stated that "I started reading very uncomplimentary remarks on the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the newspapers. I want to state categorically that from the information I have now the officer acted without permission of the REC.
"In fact, he left the office people who still work at night to produce the register of voters say he was going home around 8:00 p.m. and left and obviously he left and went to the hotel commit any crime he was caught committing. "It is important that we await the outcome of investigations before bashing everyone."
On the preparations of INEC, he revealed that apart from the Committee of 530 Vans Hilux for the conduct of elections, it will soon take delivery of another 100 vehicles and 60 speed boats. Besides, Jega noted that Nigeria Air Force is ready to help in areas they can to make the elections a success.
