EFCC Crackdown: 20 Arrested for Vote Buying in FCT Area Council Polls as N13.5m is Recovered

 

​The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has struck a major blow against electoral corruption following the arrest of 20 individuals suspected of involvement in vote-trading during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections held on Saturday, February 21, 2026. In a coordinated operation aimed at sanitizing the democratic process, the anti-graft agency successfully recovered a total of N13.5 million in cash, believed to have been earmarked for the inducement of voters across various strategic polling units. This crackdown underscores the federal government's commitment to ensuring that the "Renewed Hope" era is defined by transparent and credible elections, free from the influence of "money bags."

​The EFCC Special Monitoring Operation

​Acting on credible intelligence regarding the planned movement of large sums of cash into the satellite towns, the EFCC deployed several monitoring teams to the six area councils: Abaji, Abuja Municipal (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali. The operation, which began in the early hours of the morning, targeted flashpoints where political actors were reportedly setting up "pay points" to influence the outcome of the local polls.

​According to a statement from the Commission's spokesperson, the arrests were made in several locations, with Gwagwalada and AMAC recording the highest number of suspects. The operatives caught several individuals in the act of distributing cash to voters who had successfully presented their thumbs as "evidence" of voting for specific candidates. The recovery of N13.5 million—mostly in denominations of N1,000 and N500—highlights the scale of the financial pressure being exerted on the FCT electorate.

​How the Vote-Trading Syndicates Operated

​The 2026 FCT polls revealed increasingly sophisticated methods of vote-buying. Rather than the traditional "open" distribution of money, the suspects allegedly utilized a "coupon and credit" system. In this model, voters were given vouchers or marked cards after proving they had voted for a particular party. These vouchers were then redeemed for cash at nearby private residences or vehicles parked away from the immediate vicinity of the polling units.

​The EFCC monitoring teams, however, utilized undercover agents who blended in with the crowd to identify the coordinators of these schemes. At a polling unit in Kutunku, Gwagwalada, one suspect was arrested with over N4 million concealed in a traveling bag, along with a list containing names and phone numbers of voters who had already been "cleared" for payment. This granular data is now being analyzed by the commission to track the original sources of the funds.

​The Role of the BVAS and Security Vigilance

​While the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) largely succeeded in preventing over-voting and identity theft, the shift toward "stomach infrastructure" remains a significant challenge for Nigerian democracy. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), in its post-election observation report, noted that while the technical aspects of the election improved, the presence of vote-buyers continues to undermine public confidence.

​The EFCC's intervention served as a deterrent in many areas, forcing some vote-traders to abandon their posts upon sighting the agency’s branded vehicles. The N13.5 million recovery is considered a "conservative" figure, as many other transactions likely occurred via digital transfers—a new frontier that the commission is now investigating through bank statement analysis of the arrested suspects.

​Legal Consequences and the Path to Accountability

​The 20 suspects are currently being held at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where they are undergoing intensive interrogation. The commission has indicated that it intends to prosecute the offenders under the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), which prescribes stiff penalties, including imprisonment and heavy fines, for anyone found guilty of offering or receiving financial inducements during elections.

​The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, has previously warned that the era of treating electoral offenders with "kid gloves" is over. By making these arrests in the nation's capital, the EFCC is sending a clear message to political aspirants across the country that the 2027 general elections will be even more tightly monitored.

​Summary of the FCT Election Crackdown

​The success of this operation has been lauded by civil society organizations, though many call for the arrest of the "big fish"—the political sponsors behind the N13.5 million cash pile. As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concludes the collation of results for the Area Council chairmen and counselors, the EFCC remains on high alert for post-election financial activities.

​This N13.5 million recovery isn't just a win for the EFCC; it's a win for every Nigerian voter who believes that their mandate should not be for sale. The commission's proactive stance is a vital step toward creating an environment where ideas, rather than bank balances, determine the winners of our elections.