INEC sues suspended Adamawa REC over misconduct

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission says it has filed a six-count charge against the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) deployed to Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.

The case, according to INEC, was filed at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola, over Yunusa-Ari”s unprofessional conduct in the recently concluded Governorship election in the state.

The Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) and National Commissioner, Festus Okoye Esq., made the disclosure in a statement issued on Thursday.

It would be recalled that on Tuesday 4th July 2023, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a meeting with RECs, confirmed the receipt of case files from the Nigeria Police following the conclusion of investigation into alleged electoral offences during the 2023 General Election, including the one involving Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, and assured Nigerians of immediate action on the matter.

Explaining the reason for the filing the charges at the Court in Adamawa, Okoye said “As provided by Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, an offence committed under the Act shall be triable in a Magistrate Court or a High Court of a State in which the offence is committed, or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“Furthermore, Section 145(2) of the Act provides that a prosecution under the Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission, or any legal practitioner appointed by it”, the statement explained.

Continuing, Okoye said “Having reviewed the case file from 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 sitting in Yola”

“Consequently, the Court has fixed Wednesday 12th July 2023 for commencement of trial.”, he added.

Okoye further added that the Commission was working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the diligent prosecution of other cases.