From Umar Dankano, Yola.
A High court sitting in Yola, the Adamawa state capital has ordered the Inspector General of Police to arrest the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari Yunusa.
Issuing the warrant of arrest against Ari in Yola Wednesday, Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan directed the police to produce him before the court for him to stand trial in relation to the 2023 elections.
The development as contained in the court’s ruling on an application filed against the suspended Adamawa REC, Ari by the state government dated 26th April 2024 indicating that his trial was on Three (3) count charges.
The judge said that this is the 3rd time the case is being mentioned without the defendant in court, saying complainant’s counsels had told the court about their inability to serve him, and that it appears Hudu is evading court service.”
Earlier, while moving the application, Counsel to the Complainant, Chief L. D. Nzadon, informed the court that the application is seeking the court’s warrant of arrest against the defendant.
Chief Nzadon, who referred the court to section 20 sub sections (1j) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2018, urged the court to exercise its powers and direct the IGP to arrest the defendant wherever he is found.
He told the court that efforts to serve the defendant proved abortive, saying that the bailiff of the court was in Bauchi State since 2nd to 4th May, 2024 to serve him, but the defendant was no where to be found.
Recall that, the suspended REC who superintended the 2023 election exercise in the state was accused of compromising the election process for his selfish reasons.
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