The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it has filed a six-count charge against the suspended resident electoral commissioner for Adamawa State Hudu Yunusa-Ari.
On April 16, Mr Ari had allegedly usurped the powers of the returning officer to announce Aisha Binani, the APC governorship candidate in the state, as the winner of the election midstream into the collation.
In a statement on Thursday, the INEC national commissioner and chairman voter education and information, Festus Okoye, said the charges were filed at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola.
According to the commission, the charges were filed after reviewing the case file from the police, which established a prima facie case against the controversial REC.
The statement reads, “The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday 6th July 2023, and discussed, among other issues, the progress with the prosecution of electoral offenders.
“It would be recalled that the meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECS, two days ago on Tuesday 4th July 2023, the Commission confirmed the receipt of case files from the Nigeria Police following the conclusion of investigation into alleged electoral offences during the 2023 General Election, including the one involving the Resident Electoral Commissioner,REC,.deployed to Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.
“The Commission also assured Nigerians of immediate action on the matter.
“As provided by Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, an offence committed under the Act shall be triable in a Magistrate Court or a High Court of a State in which the offence is committed, or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Furthermore, Section 145 [2] of the Act provides that a prosecution under the Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission, or any legal practitioner appointed by it.
“Having reviewed the case file from the police, which established a prima facie case against Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the Commission has filed a six-count charge against him at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola. Consequently, the Court has fixed Wednesday 12th July 2023, for commencement of trial.
The statement added that the electoral umpire is working with the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, for the diligent prosecution of other cases.
