INEC Gives Update on Court Case Against Suspended Adamawa REC
Commission Waiting for Prosecution Board to Take Over Case
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given an update on the court case filed against the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa, Hudu Yunusa Ari.
INEC’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said in an interview on Channels TV that the commission is waiting for the prosecution board to take over Ari’s prosecution.
Ari Suspended for Announcing Results of Supplementary Election Prematurely
Ari was suspended in April 2023 after he controversially announced the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aishatu “Binani” Dahiru as the winner of the Adamawa governorship while the collation of the April 15 supplementary election was still ongoing.
Court Orders AGF and INEC to Suspend Ari’s Prosecution
In July 2023, Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja ordered the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and INEC to suspend Ari’s prosecution.
The court held that since the matter was before a tribunal and the parties had submitted to the law, the parties should maintain the status quo on the matter, pending the conclusion of the suit.
INEC Says Waiting for Prosecution Board to Take Over Case
Oyekanmi said that INEC is waiting for the prosecution board to take over Ari’s prosecution.
He said that the commission is “in court and awaiting the prosecution board.”
Ari Has Right to Defend Himself
Oyekanmi also said that Ari has the right to defend himself.
He said, “He has the right to defend himself, which he is trying to do.
We have to flow with the movement of the court.
I am sure that when other issues come up, Nigeria will hear about it.”