COURT ISSUES ARREST WARRANT AGAINST SUSPENDED ADAMAWA REC, YUNUSA ARI

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The State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Hudu Yunusa Ari, is under arrest warrant issued by a high court in Adamawa State.

The warrant was issued on Wednesday by Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan, directing Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to immediately arrest and bring the troubled REC before the court to face prosecution on three charges.

The Adamawa State Government, acting through its attorney, requested the arrest warrant on April 16, 2024.

Ari is to stand trial for usurping the powers of a returning officer to declare the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Aishatu Ahmed Binani, winner before the collation of results for the election was completed.

Counsel for the complainant, Leonard Nzadon, told the court that the application was seeking the court’s leave to compel the IGP to produce Yunusa Ari in court.

Nzadon urged the court to exercise its powers and direct the IGP to arrest the defendant wherever he would be found.

He informed the court that efforts to serve the defendant had failed, adding that the bailiff of the court was in Bauchi State from May 2 to 4, 2024 to serve him, but the defendant was nowhere to be found.

While ruling on the application, the judge said it was the third time the case was mentioned without the defendant appearing in court.