Wahab Hammed has been sentenced to one year in prison by an Ikeja High Court in Lagos State for his involvement in vote buying during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections held on February 25. Justice Ismail Ijelu, on Thursday, December 7, 2023, handed down the one-year imprisonment and imposed a fine option of N500,000 on each of the two counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Upon inquiry, the judge inquired whether the defendant comprehended the allegations presented by the prosecution counsel, to which Mr. Hammed affirmed his understanding. Consequently, the judge, having reviewed the case’s facts and considering Hammed’s guilty plea entered on Wednesday, found him culpable and proceeded to convict him.
The anti-graft agency accused the 70-year-old individual, identified as an alleged leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), of engaging in vote buying and bribery, contravening the provisions of Sections 121 (1) and (5); 121 (1) and (3) of the Electoral Act 2022. The Prosecution Counsel, Samuel Daji, previously informed the court that on February 25, the suspected vote buyer, in collaboration with one Segun Ijitola (still at large), conspired to pay voters during the 2023 Polls. The offense was committed at Unit 28, Gbaja Girls Junior High School, Surulere.
However, during the resumed proceedings for the review of facts and sentencing, the court instructed the interpreter to translate for Hammed as the prosecution presented the case details. Hammed claimed not to understand English or Pidgin, necessitating the use of an interpreter.
The prosecutor, Mr. Daji, explained that on February 25, while the commission’s officers were monitoring elections in Surulere, they received intelligence regarding individuals involved in vote buying and bribery at Polling Unit 28. Acting on the intelligence report, a team of operatives was dispatched to the polling unit, where the defendant was observed distributing money to influence voters from his party, according to Mr. Daji.
Upon sighting the Commission’s operatives, the voters scattered, and the defendant was apprehended with the sum of N121,000. Subsequently, he was taken to the Commission’s office at 15A Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, along with the confiscated money.
During the interview, the defendant voluntarily provided statements, revealing that he served as a ward leader of the APC in Unit F3, Surulere, Lagos. He admitted that the money in his possession had been given to him by Hon. Seun Ijitola, a Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman of Surulere Local Government, for the purpose of influencing voters to support their party.
“He admitted to having bribed a few voters before his apprehension, and the money was in 500 Naira denominations,” Daji affirmed.
Prior to the sentencing, the defendant tearfully pleaded for mercy. “Milord, I am an elderly man above 70. I have never been arrested, and I have no criminal record. I am also scheduled for surgery this Saturday. Since my arrest and detention, I have not been provided with any food. I struggle with high blood pressure and ulcer,” he stated.
He further implored, stating that at his age, he would not have engaged in such behavior if his children were employed. The Defense Counsel, Mr. Olabiyi Ademola, also appealed, emphasizing the defendant’s remorse and regret for his actions, assuring that he would not be involved in such criminal activities again.