Hudi Yunusa-Ari, the suspended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, did not appear as scheduled at the State High Court in Yola on Monday for his arraignment.
Due to the failure of the police to serve the hearing notice to Yunusa-Ari, Justice Benjamin Manji of the State High Court in Yola has ordered INEC to ensure his presence in court during the next session on November 23, 2023.
According to INEC’s prosecution counsel, Justice Rotimi Jacobs, the police attempted to deliver the hearing notice by visiting the defendant’s home but were unsuccessful. Additionally, the defendant’s surety could not be located.
Judge Benjamin Manji expressed concern about the inability of the police, who had granted him bail through a surety, to locate either the defendant or the surety. Consequently, the prosecution counsel’s request for a two-week extension to secure the defendant’s appearance was granted.
Speaking to the media after the session, INEC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, assured that all necessary efforts would be made to ensure the defendant’s presence on the adjourned date.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had previously authorized INEC to prosecute Yunusa-Ari, who faces a six-count charge related to his actions during the 2023 governorship election in the state. The prosecutor is also seeking an arrest warrant for the defendant.
Yunusa-Ari had declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Aishatu Ahmed Binani, as the winner during the collation of results in the supplementary governorship election on April 15th. This decision led to widespread criticism, with INEC subsequently invalidating the declaration and suspending him indefinitely.
