Varsity lecturer poses as INEC official, found with 17 BVAS machines

A middle-aged man, Mr. Gabriel Agabi, was on Sunday arrested by the Police over impersonation and being in possession of 17 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) not programmed for the ward where he was arrested.

Agabi, who wore an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reflective jacket, was arrested at the collation center in Okpoma, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State by the security operatives.

He was later taken to Ogoja INEC’s office, where he confessed to have impersonated Abakedi.

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After a confessional statement, he was whisked away by the police to the Ogoja Area Command for further investigation by the CID unit.

READ ALSO: INEC: We Faced Challenges With The IREV Portal Due To Technical Glitches

The alleged impostor claimed to be a lecturer in the philosophy department of the University of Calabar and hails from the Ugoro Community in the Bekwarra Local Government Area of the state.

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He impersonated the INEC collation officer for the Yache ward in the Yala Local Government Area of the state, Dr. Dominic Abakedi.

One of the BVAS found in his possession had the following details: “BVAS No: 09/18/10/012 with 216 accredited voters and 250 votes cast.”

The impersonator, who was alleged to have been playing the script of a party, had with collaboration with others, locked up all the agents of other parties in that ward.

He was also alleged to have disappeared since the close of voting around 6 p.m. on Saturday and only resurfaced at the senatorial district collation center in Ogoja at past 5 p.m. on Sunday.

A senior police officer at the scene, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the development.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in charge of elections in the district, Zannah Shettima, declined comment on the matter, stressing that he was yet to be briefed.

He said, “I don’t have the details and so I can’t speak on it.” (NAN)