Abuja – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the establishment of Special Election Offences Tribunal to try people involved in violence before, during and after any election in the country.
The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, disclosed this after the Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.
Maku said that the decision of the council was part of the key recommendations of the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu Panel on the 2011 post election violence.
The panel was set up to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the 2011 post election violence which erupted in some states.
Maku said that a white paper committee set up by the President and chaired by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms Ama Pepple, submitted its report to Council.
“The Federal Executive Council is reviewing what happened and indeed the merit of this recommendation accepted this proposition to establish a special tribunal to try election offences in the country.
“This we believe will make it possible for speedy dispensation of justice.
“It will also ensure that all those who take liberty to spread violence, to cause mayhem in elections in this country are not only brought to book but that judicial process to try them should be such that will be quick and orderly in the dispensation of justice,’’ he said.
Maku said that Council also approved the prohibition of youth groups set up by some political office holders and used as militia group during elections.
He said that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice was directed to liaise with the Inspector-General of Police to work out modalities to stamp out such groups.
The minister said that council also approved the recommendation by the committee that civic education be introduced in schools to educate students on the principles of democracy.
Similarly, he said INEC and other relevant agencies were mandated to carry out massive education of the electorate on political tolerance.
Speaking in the same vein, Pepple said that the committee had recommended that government should embark on employment generation programmes to engage the youths.
She said that the committee also recommended the setting up of police posts in identified volatile areas in the country. (NAN)
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