The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has alleged that its suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari and his surety are on the run.
The Commission told the Adamawa State High Court on Monday that Hudu is evading arraignment in court.
The Commission, represented in court by its Counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court presided over by Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan that the prosecution failed to arraign Hudu Ari due to the inability to arrest him.
The electoral body had taken Hudu to court on charges of false electoral result, violating oath of neutrality, breach of duty, disorderly conduct at the election, inciting disturbance and impersonating a public servant.
This was after Hudu, as the REC during the governorship election in Adamawa State in March this year, was declared winner of the election when results were yet to be fully collated and when even the candidate he announced, Senator Aishatu Ahmed (Binani), was not in the lead by the results collated up to the time of his declaration.
At the resumed sitting on Monday, Rotimi Jacobs told the court that the defendant had refused an invitation from the Investigative Police Officer upon service of hearing notice.
He asked the court to adjourn the matter to enable police effect Hudu’s arrest for arraignment and trial or bring an application for the court to issue a warrant of arrest against Hudu.
The Investigative Police Officer, CSP Moses Jolujdo, confirmed to the court that the defendant and his surety had been evading arrest.
The court then granted the application for adjournment, fixing November 22, 2023, as the new date for Hudu to be arraigned.
Answering questions from newsmen after the court sitting, the Counsel to INEC said, “The defendant has been evasive. You can’t get him or arrest him. He is hiding.”
He said that the police must arrest him, urging the police to intensify efforts in that direction.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
