INEC Files Charges Against Suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa State
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken legal action against Yunusa Hudu Ari, the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner for Adamawa, by filing a six-count charge at the Adamawa High Court in Yola. The charges are related to Ari’s role in the Adamawa governorship election. In a statement released on Thursday, Barrister Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, announced that the trial is scheduled to commence on July 12.
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Ari attracted controversy during the re-run of the governorship election in Adamawa State when he prematurely declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Banana, as the winner while the collation of results was still ongoing.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari instructed the Inspector General of Police to investigate Ari’s involvement in the matter.
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During a meeting held on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated that the police had concluded their investigation and submitted a case to the Commission, adding that the next steps would be communicated to the public.
In a statement titled “Prosecution of Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari,” Okoye provided further details: “During today’s regular weekly meeting held on Thursday, July 6, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discussed various issues, including the progress made in the prosecution of electoral offenders.”
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“At the meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, the Commission confirmed the receipt of case files from the Nigeria Police, which concluded their investigation into alleged electoral offenses during the 2023 General Election, including the case involving the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) deployed to Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.”
“The Commission assured Nigerians of prompt action on the matter.”
“In accordance with Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, offenses committed under the Act shall be tried in a Magistrate Court or a High Court of the State in which the offense was committed, or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”
“Additionally, Section 145(2) of the Act states that prosecution under the Act shall be carried out by legal officers of the Commission or any legal practitioner appointed by it.”
“After reviewing the case file provided by the Police, which established a prima facie case against Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the Commission has filed a six-count charge against him at the Adamawa State High Court in Yola. Consequently, the Court has set Wednesday, July 12, 2023, as the commencement date for the trial.”
“Meanwhile, the Commission is collaborating with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to ensure the diligent prosecution of other cases.”
