INEC to prosecute candidates with forged academic credentials

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it would collaborate with anti-graft agencies to prosecute candidates of political parties possessing forged academic credentials in the 2023 general election.

The commission said the collaboration would involve the independent corrupt practices and other-related offences commission and the code of conduct bureau.

INEC also clarified that there is no specific law that makes it mandatory for electoral candidates to present evidence of tax payment before they could contest election.

Chairman of the commission, Mahmood Yakubu, spoke in Abuja during a meeting on the collaboration for effective tax compliance of political office holders, convened at the instance of the joint tax board.

Yakubu said that beyond the nullification of elections of candidates that submitted fake or forged credentials, he believed that such individuals should be prosecuted.

He pledged INEC’s commitment to relevant agencies to ensure that public office holders complied with the country’s constitution and relevant laws, including tax.