INEC: Prosecution of Suspended  Adamawa REC, Ari Begins July 12

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that the prosecution of the suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari, will commence Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a statement issued Thursday, said the decision to commence the prosecution of Ari was taken at its regular weekly meeting held Thursday having reviewed the case file from the police which established a prima facie case against Ari.

Ari had in April illegally and wrongfully announced the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aishatu Dahiru Binani, as the winner of the governorship election in the state.

Ari declared Binani as the winner of the supplementary poll held on April 15, 2023 even though the collation of results of the supplementary election had yet to be completed.

However, the commission has filed a six-count charge against him at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola, while the court has fixed July 12, 2023 for commencement of trial.

Okoye said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday 6th July, 2023, and discussed, among other issues, the progress with the prosecution of electoral offenders.

“It would be recalled that at the meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) two days ago on Tuesday, 4th July, 2023, the commission confirmed the receipt of case files from the Nigeria Police following the conclusion of investigation into alleged electoral offences during the 2023 general election, including the one involving the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) deployed to Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari. The commission also assured Nigerians of immediate action on the matter.”

The national commissioner said as provided by Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, an offence committed under the Act shall be triable in a Magistrate’s Court or a High Court of a state in which the offence is committed, or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.  

He added that Section 145(2) of the Act also provides that a prosecution under the Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the commission, or any legal practitioner appointed by it. 

Okoye added: “Having reviewed the case file from the police which established a prima facie case against Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the commission has filed a six-count charge against him at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola.  Consequently, the court has fixed Wednesday, 12th July, 2023 for commencement of trial.

“Meanwhile, the commission is working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the diligent prosecution of other cases.”