Investigation: Suspended Adamawa REC Has A Case To Answer – INEC
…As police conclude probe on the matter
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that following the conclusion of investigations by the Nigeria Police on the actions of its suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), in Adamawa State, Mr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, it has enough proofs to establish a case against him.
INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information, Mr. Festus Okoye, who stated this on Thursday, June 29, 2023, when he featured on Channels Television programme; ‘Politics Today’, specifically said that the Commission would soon take concrete action on the case of Yunusa-Ari.
Okoye explained that under the law, it is the responsibility of INEC to prosecute Yunusa-Ari if a prima facie case has established against him, adding that in few weeks to come, Nigerians will be informed of what will happen.
He said that the Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Police were in talks during the probe of the suspended REC Yunusa-Ari, stressing that a decision will be made in due cause.
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In the words of Okoye; “There have been some level of interface between the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent National Electoral Commission. The commission was involved in some of the processes leading to the investigation.
“Very soon, the commission will take action relating to the Adamawa REC”.
The suspended INEC REC in Adamawa State, Yunusa-Ari had generated some controversies during the April 15, 2023 Governorship supplementary election in the state by usurping the functions of the State Returning Officer and declared Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election at a time the collation of election results were not yet completed.
The development led the INEC headquarters in Abuja to promptly wade in and declared Yunusa-Ari’s action as illegal and unconstitutional thus, directed him and the Returning Officer to report to Abuja for further directives.
Yunusa-Ari was subsequently suspended from office by former President Muhammadu Buhari upon the recommendation of INEC and handed over to the police for investigation.
After his suspension, Yunusa-Ari’s whereabouts became unknown for over two weeks but he reported to the police on May 2, 2023 and was granted administrative bail on May 5, 2023.
