The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, failed to appear in Court.
The arraignment borders on charges of “false electoral result” and other alleged offenses.
Yunusa-Ari was supposed to appear before the Adamawa State High Court of Justice on November 6th 2023.
Counsel to INEC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the Court that Yunusa-Ari and his surety were evading arrest.
Background
The Jurist Newspaper, had earlier reported that Yunusa is facing a series of charges, including announcing false electoral results, violating his oath of neutrality, disorderly conduct during elections, inciting disturbance, and personating a public servant.
He stirred controversy by prematurely announcing Aisha Binani Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Adamawa governorship election, even before the official collation of results was complete.
INEC swiftly nullified this declaration and called upon the REC to appear at its Abuja headquarters.
Following INEC’s request, the police were engaged to prosecute Yunusa for his involvement in electoral misconduct.
On April 20, former President Muhammadu Buhari sanctioned Yunusa’s suspension, pending a thorough police investigation.
The scheduled arraignment, was initially set for July 27, 2023, was postponed multiple times.
The court later set November 6, 2023, as the new date for Yunusa to face the various charges brought against him.
During the recent court session, Jacobs stated that the defendant had declined an invitation from the Investigative Police Officer (IPO) despite receiving a hearing notice.
He requested an adjournment to allow the police to arrest Yunusa-Ari for arraignment.
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Court’s Decision
The court granted INEC’s application for an adjournment, scheduling a fresh date for arraignment which is November 22, 2023.
