Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 20 suspects for alleged electoral offences during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections held on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
The commission said the suspects were apprehended across several area councils in the FCT and will be prosecuted as investigations continue.
In a statement published by the EFCC on Sunday, February 22, 2026, the commission said its operatives arrested the 20 individuals for alleged electoral offences, including vote buying, vote selling and obstruction of electoral officers during the council polls.
The EFCC said the arrests occurred in different parts of the FCT. According to the statement, two suspects were apprehended in Abaji Area Council, nine in Gwagwalada Area Council, four in Kuje Area Council and four in Kwali Area Council.
The commission reported that it recovered a total of ₦17,218,700 in connection with the arrests. One of the suspects was found with ₦13,500,000 in a vehicle parked beside a polling booth in the Kwali Area Council.
The EFCC said the recovered cash and any other exhibits will form part of evidence in the ongoing prosecution of the suspects.
The commission stated that the suspects will be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations into the alleged offences.
A spokesperson for the EFCC confirmed that legal processes will follow the statutory procedure under Nigeria’s electoral and criminal laws.
The arrests occurred against the backdrop of the FCT Area Council elections across the six councils; Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), where voters cast ballots for chairmanship and councillorship positions.
In its announcement, the EFCC said the deployment of its operatives was part of efforts to monitor the polls and deter electoral malpractice across the territory.
The statement emphasised that the commission would continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure that suspects implicated in electoral infractions are brought before competent courts.
