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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 20 individuals over alleged electoral fraud during the just-concluded Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
The Commander noted that it carried out the arrest on Saturday, February 21, 2026, the anti-graft agency said its operatives apprehended the suspects across various parts of the FCT for offences including vote buying, vote selling and obstruction of electoral officials.
According to the Head of Media and Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the arrests were carried out on Saturday, February 21, 2026, across various area councils in the FCT.
Oyewale in a statement issued on Sunday said the suspects were apprehended for offences ranging from vote buying and vote selling to obstruction of electoral officers.
According to the Commission, a total of ₦17,218,700 was recovered from the suspects.
“One of the suspects was arrested with the sum of ₦13,500,000 in a vehicle parked beside a polling unit in Kwali Area Council,” the EFCC disclosed.
The arrests were spread across the councils, with two suspects picked up in Abaji, nine in Gwagwalada, four in Kuje and another four in Kwali.
The Commission stated that investigations are ongoing and assured that the suspects would be prosecuted.
“The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.
The FCT Area Council elections were held on Saturday amid tight security and monitoring by anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies following concerns over vote trading and electoral malpractice in previous polls.