The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari, has reportedly been taken into police custody.
Ari found himself at the centre of a controversy after the supplementary election in Adamawa on April 15, 2023, when he declared Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the dramatic poll while collation of results was still ongoing.
This led to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nullifying Ari’s decision and suspending him. At the same time, President Muhammad Buhari ordered a full investigation into the electoral commissioner and the security personnel present at the time of the declaration.
Following this, INEC concluded the election and announced Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the authentic winner of the poll. Security agencies were subsequently ordered to arrest and prosecute the embattled REC, whose whereabouts have been unknown for over two weeks since the controversy began.
However, a police source confirmed on Tuesday that Ari is now in police custody.
This confirmation was received through a telephone conversation with the police source, Channels Television reports.
Police confirms the arrest:
ADAMAWA POLLS: INEC REC IN POLICE CUSTODY AS INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE
Other Fingered Officials Under Interrogation
ADAMAWA POLLS: INEC REC IN POLICE CUSTODY AS INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE
The Nigeria Police Force hereby confirms the arrest of Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (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 Ari, who was arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on Tuesday 2nd May, 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 Inspector-General of Police has assured of the commitment of the Force to ensuring that justice is served in this case and that all guilty parties are brought to justice.
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