Police Confirm Arrest Of Adamawa REC, Allies In Abuja

The suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu-Yunusa Ari, and other suspects have been arrested and are now in police custody and are currently being interrogated at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, over alleged impropriety in the during the April 15 supplementary governorship poll in the state.

The development was confirmed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, following an inquiry by our correspondent.

The PUNCH reports that Yunusa-Ari had stirred controversy after declaring the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as the winner of the Adamawa State governorship election, when collation of results was yet to be completed.

This was followed by an announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission proclaiming Yunusa- Ari’s declaration as null and void, while he was summoned to its headquarters in Abuja, but failed to honour the summon.

The electoral umpire further wrote to the NPF asking it to investigate, and if found culpable, prosecute Yunusa-Ari over alleged electoral infractions.

Following the receipt of the letter the IG subsequently asked an investigative team to work in collaboration with INEC on the matter, as the electoral umpire revealed that it didn’t know the whereabouts of the suspended Adamawa REC.

On April 20, The PUNCH reports that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) approved Yunusa-Ari’s suspension pending the conclusion of an investigation by the police.

Confirming the arrest of Yunusa-Ari and other suspects on Tuesday, Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force hereby confirms the arrest of Barrister Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Adamawa State REC, who was alleged to have announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress winner of the gubernatorial elections during the recently concluded supplementary elections following calls for his arrest and investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the basis of alleged impropriety in the course of supplementary gubernatorial polls in the State.

“Barrister Yunusa-Ari, who was arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, is currently in police custody and is being grilled to ascertain the motives and motivations behind his alleged improper actions during the supplementary elections in Adamawa State.

“In addition, other officials and individuals culpable in the saga are being interrogated by the team.

“The Inspector-General of Police has given clear assurance that every individual involved/indicted in the matter will be apprehended and investigated in line with the provisions of the law for possible prosecution. The IG has assured of the commitment of the Force to ensure that justice is served in this case and that all guilty parties are brought to justice,” he said in confirming that the fleeing Adamawa REC had been arrested.

Source: The Punch

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