In Enugu State, the police have taken legal action against Chinwendu Nnamani, a 41-year-old woman, for her involvement in the illegal sale of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Nnamani was caught in a viral video coercing rightful owners of PVCs to pay N1000 in exchange for their cards in the Emene area of Enugu East Local Government.

Last month, the video sparked controversy as it showed Nnamani collecting money from registered voters before they were able to receive their PVCs. This prompted an investigation into the matter and led to Nnamani’s arrest and charges.

The video depicts an interaction between Nnamani and an elderly woman who was a registered voter. The woman asks Nnamani when the commission began collecting money for PVCs, suggesting that this was not a standard practice.

The illegal sale of PVCs undermines the integrity of the electoral process and threatens the democratic rights of citizens. The arrest and arraignment of Nnamani and her accomplice sends a strong message that such actions will not be tolerated and those who engage in them will face consequences.

“I didn’t know that one now has to pay to collect the card,
“This is a bad impression to the public, it’s not good,” the elderly woman had said.

The lady, in a display of aggression, told those who refused to pay to go and retrieve their PVCs from the Local Government.

“If you don’t want to pay, you go to the local government and collect it,” she said.

Immediately she learnt she was being captured on camera, she said, “if you video me, I will fight it out with you.

“Did you pay me for this job. God punish you.”

The woman, who has faced charges in court, was taken into custody alongside Nkiruka Patience Obinna, a 38-year-old official from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for supplying Nnamani with the PVCs for distribution in exchange for money.

This information was made public by the State police spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement released on Thursday.

“Police detectives serving in the State CID of Enugu State Command, on 31/01/2023, arrested the female suspect, one Chinwendu Nnamani aged 41, involved in the viral social media video clip, in which she is seen and alleged to be selling INEC Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) at the sum of one thousand naira (N1,000.00), at Emene Enugu.”

“Also arrested is one Nkiruka Patience Obinna aged 38, identified as an INEC Staff and alleged to had given the said Cards to the first suspect for distribution to the actual owners.

“Investigation has been concluded, the case charged to court, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the suspects arraigned accordingly. The suspects were granted bail and the case adjourned to 15/02/2023 for further hearing”.