EFCC Arrests 20 Over Electoral Offences in FCT Polls, Seizes ₦13.5m Near Kwali Polling Unit

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 20 suspects for alleged electoral offences during the February 21, 2026, Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency said the suspects were apprehended across various locations in the FCT for offences ranging from vote buying and vote selling to obstruction of electoral officers.

The commission disclosed that a total of ₦17,218,700 was recovered from the suspects. Notably, one individual was arrested with ₦13,500,000 found inside a vehicle parked beside a polling unit in the Kwali Area Council.

According to the EFCC, two suspects were arrested in Abaji, nine in Gwagwalada, four in Kuje, and four in Kwali.

“The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The elections were conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the six area councils of the FCT to fill chairmanship and councillorship positions.

In addition to the FCT polls, INEC also conducted by-elections in the Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies of Rivers State, as well as legislative elections in Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State.

The EFCC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, warning that individuals found culpable of electoral malpractice would face the full weight of the law.