The suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari, reportedly evaded arraignment in court on Monday.
Yunusa-Ari has gone into hiding, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), CSP Moses Jolugbo, told the Adamawa State High Court of Justice, sitting in Yola.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleged that the suspended Barr. Hudu and his surety areevading arrest.
The electoral body through its Counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told Adamawa State High Court of Justice presided by Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan that the prosecution failed to arraign Hudu Ari due to inability to arrest him.
INEC has dragged Hudu to court on 6 count charge boredering announcement of false electoral result, violating the oath of neutrality, breach of duty, disorderly conduct at election, inciting disturbance and personating a public servant.
At the resumed sitting today, Rotimi Jacobs(SAN), who announced appearance for the prosecution, informed the court that the defendant had refused invitation from the Investigative Police Office(IPO) upon service of hearing notice.
However, he asked the court to adjourn the matter to enable police effect his arrest for arraignment and trial, or alternatively bring application for the court issue warrant of arrest against him.
The IPO who also introduced himself in court, confirmed to the court that the defendant and his surety have been evading arrest.
The court presided by Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan, granted the application and subsequently adjourned the case to the of 22nd November, 2023 for the arraignment.
Counsel to INEC, Rotimi Jacobs(SAN) after court session, briefed newsmen. He said, “The defendant has been evasive. You can’t get him or arrest him. He is hiding. The lawyers have been encouraging him to do so”.
” The defendant is not a party to the case he is using against his arraignment. He has been writing letters to the court asking for dates for adjourments based on the case that he is not a party to it”, Rotimi stated.
He said the police must arrest him, and urged them to intensify his arrest for prosecution.
