Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the suspended resident electoral commissioner for Adamawa State, and other suspects have been detained by police, are being questioned about alleged irregularities in the state’s April 15 supplementary governorship election at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, verified the development on Tuesday.
When declaring Aisha Dahiru, better known by her stage name Binani, as the winner of the Adamawa State governorship election before the results of the collation process were complete, Yunusa-Ari had caused controversy.
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.
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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.
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.
