A constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, has submitted petitions to key anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), seeking urgent investigation and potential prosecution in relation to alleged electoral infractions during the Ogun State Governorship Election held on March 18, 2023.
In the petitions addressed to the heads of these agencies, Ozekhome, acting on behalf of the Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA), a prominent non-governmental organization advocating for human rights and electoral integrity, has raised serious concerns about the conduct of the election and its impact on the democratic process. The petitions focus on the alleged involvement of Superflux International Ltd, a security printing company founded and led by Chief Tokunbo Talabi, who currently serves as the Secretary to the Government of Ogun State.
The core allegations put forward in the petitions suggest a connection between Dapo Abiodun’s SSG, Tokunbo Talabi’s company, Superflux International Ltd, and electoral irregularities observed during the Ogun State Governorship Election. The petitions allege that Superflux, a company accredited by the Central Bank of Nigeria and other central banks in West Africa for security printing, was contracted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to print ballot papers for the election.
However, according to the petitions, there are indications that Superflux may have printed excess ballot papers beyond the official requirement for the election. These additional ballot papers are believed to have been used to manipulate the election outcome in favor of the incumbent Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Key points highlighted in the petitions include:
Multiple Ballot Papers: Allegations of multiple ballot papers with identical serial numbers and discrepancies in serial numbers compared to officially deployed ballot papers.
Financial Transactions: The petitions raise concerns about financial transactions between INEC and Superflux, citing substantial payments made on a single day and the alleged transfer of funds to Superflux from INEC’s Electoral account.
Conflict of Interest: Tokunbo Talabi’s alleged involvement in the printing of the ballot papers as well as his position as Secretary to the Government of Ogun State (SSG) are noted as potential conflicts of interest that may have compromised the integrity of the election.
Governor’s Involvement: Allegations of direct involvement by Governor Dapo Abiodun in approaching certain INEC officers to secure his victory.
Ozekhome, in the petitions, requests urgent investigations into these allegations and possible prosecution where necessary. The petitions underscore the potential implications of these alleged infractions on Nigeria’s democratic process and emphasize the need for accountability and transparency.
According to the petition, the three anti-corruption agencies are called upon to take swift action to address these allegations and ensure that the rule of law and democratic principles are upheld.
The outcome of these petitions could have far-reaching consequences for the Ogun State Governorship Election, the individuals implicated, and the broader Nigerian political landscape.
See the petition below:
31ST July, 2023
The Ag. Executive Chairman,
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
301/302 Institutions and Research District,
Opposite the National Open University,
Jabi.
Abuja, FCT.
Dear sir,
THE LINK BETWEEN INEC, SUPERFLUX INTERNATIONAL LTD, BALLOT PRINTING AND THE OGUN STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION: OUR PETITION FOR URGENT INVESTIGATION AND POSSIBLE PROSECUTION
INTRODUCTION
- We are Solicitors for Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) (“our client”), a non-governmental and non- political organization formed in the 2007, with Certificate No. CA/IT/NO 24712.
- Amongst others, our client, an internationally recognized NGO, engages in writing and advocacy to promote, protect and project the human rights of all Nigerians and other law abiding citizens resident within Nigeria. It also engages in advocacy for and protection of a credible electoral process, good governance, the rule of law and eradication of corruption from all facets of our electoral life.
ABOUT SUPERFLUX INTERNATIONAL LTD
- Our client states that Superflux international Ltd (Superflux) is a Nigerian limited liability private company founded and propelled by Chief Tokunbo Talabi, the current Secretary to the Government of Ogun State (SSG) headed by Dr Dapo Abiodun. Superflux is a leading security printing company duly accredited by the Central BANK OF Nigeria (CBN), Central Bank of Zambia, and other West African Central Banks. With registration 275594, Superflux has its address at No. 3, Vori Close, Off ACME Road, Ikeja, Lagos.
BACKGROUND FACTS
- Our client informed us that Dapo Abiodun’s SSG, Tokunbo Talabi, is the president and CEO of Superflux International Ltd; is a trained physiotherapist and banker of many years experience, and holds positions in boards of several companies. Our client informed us that the said Chief Talabi printed Ballot Papers for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), using his company, Superflux as the vehicle, during the March 18, 2023.
- Our client informed us that there was much movement of ballot papers during the March 18, 2023 Governorship elections. Our client states that it was generally believed that while Superflux was printing the originals for INEC contract, it also allegedly printed extra ballots which were later used to undermine the said Ogun State Governorship election in favour of Dapo Abiodun, the sitting Governor.
- These discrepancies, our client informed us, form part of the ongoing challenge to the governorship outcome before the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Our client states that there are many cases of multiple ballot papers with the same serial numbers; whilst there are ballot papers whose serial numbers are at variance with what were deployed in the said Ogun State for the Governorship election. These were also said to have accounted for overvoting in many polling units, with alleged ballot box stuffings as the order of the day. Many of those ballot papers were believed by our client to have emanated from Tokunbo Talabi’s Superflux company.
FACTS IN SUPPORT OF THESE CLAIMS
- On the 19th of August, 2020, INEC paid the sum of N47, 449,290.90 four times on the same day into Superflux Access Bank account, Victoria Island branch, with the account number: 0001990557
- This sum was allegedly transferred from CBN’s INEC Electoral account with the description: NFT/CBN/BO/INEC Electoral Account/ M2867/PMT 4 SS Ballot P.
- Similarly, on the 23rd of June, 2020, INEC credited another Superflux’s corporate account with Access Bank: 0001598513, with the sum of N98, 898581.80. This sum was said to have been quickly moved to the first mentioned account No. 0001990557. The transaction description was the same as above, i.e, NFT/CBN/BO/INEC Electoral Account/ M2867/PMT 4 SS Ballot P.
- Our client maintains that because Tokunbo Talabi is an interested party, being the SSG to Dapo Abiodun (the Governor), who is also an interested party as his election was being challenged, they all compromised the Gubernatorial election with overvoting through his company’s printed excess ballot papers.
- Our client informed us that Tokunbo Talabi’s BVN is still attached to the accounts till date; and so cannot claim any prior detachment or resignation from the ownership and Directorship of the said Superflux company that printed the ballot papers.
OTHER LINKED ACCOUNTS
- Other Superflux accounts linked to Tokunbo Talabi which our client insists must be investigated based on Superflux’s involvement, are:
- Polaris: Allen Avenue branch. Account Number: 4090893181
- Stambic, Oba Akran Branch: 000487511
- Standard Chartered, Branch 04900: 10000058696
- Sterling Bank, Aromire branch Ikeja: 0003058731
- UBA: 1004322521
- Union Bank, Stallion Plaza branch: 0040353673
- Unity Bank, HQ Office: 12764744.
- Our client informed us that barely three months into Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration in 2019, precisely on the 11th of August, Tokunbo Talabi opened a Superflux International DSRA (Domiciliary account) with Access Bank, Victoria Island branch with Account Number: 1222529704, from which many transactions were located.
- For instance, on the 6th of April, 2020, he allegedly made a singular transaction of seven hundred million naira (N700m) into a property company, Stonestack Limited.
- From another Access Bank account: 0001598513, with the Victoria Island branch, Talabi was alleged to have transferred the sum of $500,000 to a Logistics company (Speedwings) 8 times, amounting to $4m (four million dollars). Though these transactions were undated, however, some of the last set of the transactions had to do with some COVID-19 matters which was carried out on the 4th of June, 2020.
- Attached herewith and cumulatively marked as HURIWA 1 are some of the bank transactions above referred to, for your perusal and necessary action.
OUR HUMBLE PRAYERS
- We believe that the above allegations by our client are weighty enough to merit your urgent attention. There is the need for thorough investigation and possible prosecution, where necessary, as the allegations if found true, have greatly undermined the 2023 Ogun State Governorship election and our electoral process. All these constitute a subversion of the 1999 Constitution of Nigerian, other extant laws, our National ethos and the code of conduct that governs public officers in Nigeria.
- We therefore demand on behalf of our client, immediate investigation and possible prosecution of the said Chief Tokunbo Talabi; and Superflux International Ltd. You owe this to our client and to Nigerians as the agency in charge of financial crimes, to carry out this your public duty. We believe that seven (7) days from the date of this letter are sufficient to carry out this your statutory function.
- TAKE NOTICE that if you fail, refuse and/or neglect to accede to our above modest demands, we shall be left with no option than to approach a court of competent jurisdiction through an order of Mandamus to compel you to carry out your statutory functions.
- We believe you will act timeously and urgently.
- Please, accept the assurances of our highest regards.
Yours faithfully,
PROF. MIKE A. A. OZEKHOME, SAN, CON, OFR, FCIArb, LL.B, LL.M, Ph.D, LL.D, D.Litt.
CHIEF COUNSEL/HEAD OF CHAMBERS
