By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said it has filed a six-count charges against the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, at the state high court in Yola.
Recall that Ari got suspended after he prematurely declared All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Aishatu Dahiru ‘Binani’ as the winner of the Adamawa 2023 governorship election, in which Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was later returned winner.
INEC had during its meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) on Tuesday, confirmed the receipt of case files from the Police following the conclusion of investigation into alleged electoral offences during the 2023 polls.
“As provided by Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, an offence committed under the Act shall be triable in a Magistrate Court or a High Court of a State in which the offence is committed, or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” INEC said.
”Furthermore, Section 145(2) of the Act provides that a prosecution under the Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission, or any legal practitioner appointed by it,” a statement from the electoral body noted.
At its regular weekly meeting held on Thursday to discuss, among other issues, the progress with the prosecution of electoral offenders, the electoral body confirmed it was prosecuting Ari.
Having reviewed the case file from the Police which established a prima facie case against Ari, the Commission has now filed a six-count charge against the embattled REC at the Adamawa State High Court in Yola.
Consequently, the Court has fixed Wednesday, 12th July, 2023 for commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, INEC says the Commission working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the diligent prosecution of other cases.
