Suspend Adamawa REC Ari absent in court, evades police arrest
By Tom Garba
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday alleged that its suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari and his surety have evaded arrest.
The electoral body through its counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told Adamawa State High Court of Justice presided by Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan that the prosecutor failed to arraign Hudu Ari due to inability to arrest him.
INEC has dragged Ari to court on six count charges boredering on announcement of false electoral result, violating the oath of neutrality, breach of duty, disorderly conduct at election, inciting disturbance, among others.
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At the resumed sitting yesterday, Rotimi Jacobs(SAN), who announced appearance for the prosecution, informed the court that the defendant had refused invitation from the Investigative Police Office(IPO) upon service of hearing notice.
However, he asked the court to adjourn the matter to enable police effect his arrest for arraignment and trial, or alternatively bring application for the court to issue warrant of arrest against him.
The IPO who also introduced himself in court as CSP, Moses Jolujdo, confirmed to the court that the defendant and his surety have been evading arrest.
The court granted the application and subsequently adjourned the case to the of 22nd November, 2023 for the arraignment.
Fielding questions from newsmen, counsel to INEC, Rotimi Jacobs(SAN) said, “the defendant has been evasive. You can’t get him or arrest him. He is hiding. The lawyers have been encouraging him to do so”.
” The defendant is not a party to the case he is using against his arraignment. He has been writing letters the to court asking for dates or adjournments based on the case that he is not a party to it”, Rotimi stated.
He said the police must arrest him, and urged them to intensify efforts for the arrest and his prosecution.
