Edo LGA Election: Drama As EDSIEC Asks Lawyer To Pay N94m For Result Photocopies

There was a mild drama as Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) directed a lawyer, Akhigbe Oserogho,to pay N94 million in order to get the photocopying and certification of different documents used in a local government area (LGA) election conducted in September.

OSUN DEFENDER recalls that 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.

Reacting to his request via a letter from the electoral commission dated September 21, 2023 and 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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According to the letter, “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.”

• Sodiq Lawal