An embattled State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Hudu Yunusa Ari, faces a warrant of arrest issued by a high court in Adamawa State.
According to Leadership, Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan issued the warrant on Wednesday, instructing the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately arrest and produce the embattled REC in court to stand trial on three counts.
The arrest warrant follows an application by the Adamawa State Government through its counsel, dated and filed on April 16, 2024.
Ari is accused of usurping the powers of a returning officer by declaring the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Aishatu Ahmed Binani, the winner before the completion of the election result collation.
Counsel for the complainant, Leonard Nzadon, informed the court that the application sought to compel the IGP to produce Yunusa Ari in court. He urged the court to direct the IGP to arrest the defendant wherever he may be found.
Nzadon stated that efforts to serve the defendant had failed, revealing that the court’s bailiff was in Bauchi State from May 2 to 4, 2024, to serve him, but Ari could not be located.
Ruling on the application, the judge noted that it was the third time the case had been mentioned without the defendant appearing in court.
