The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, was said to have skipped arraignment yesterday when he was billed to answer for “false electoral result”, among other charges against him.
Counsel to INEC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), alleged during the sitting of the Adamawa State High Court that Yunusa-Ari and his surety were on the run.
The lawyer insisted that the embattled REC was evading arraignment in court.
He told the court, presided over by Justice Benjamin Lawan, that the prosecution failed to arraign Yunusa-Ari due to the inability to arrest him.
The INEC had sued Yunusa-Ari for alleged declaration of false electoral result, violating oath of neutrality, breach of duty, disorderly conduct at election, inciting disturbance, and impersonating a public servant.
Recall that the suit was filed after the REC in the March 11 governorship election in Adamawa State declared Senator Aishatu Ahmed Binani of All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election when results were yet to be fully collated.
At the resumed sitting yesterday, Jacobs said the defendant had refused invitation from the Investigative Police Officer (IPO) upon service of a hearing notice.
He asked the court to adjourn the matter to enable the police arrest the embattled REC for arraignment.
After the IPO, Moses Jolujdo, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), told the court that the defendant and his surety had been evading arrest, the court granted the application by INEC for adjournment and adjourned fresh arraignment for November 22
