INEC file six-count charge against former Adamawa REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially filed a six-count charge against Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) assigned to Adamawa State.

The charge was filed at the Adamawa State High Court in Yola.

Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, announced this development in a statement released on Thursday.

He also disclosed that the trial was scheduled to commence on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

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During its regular weekly meeting, on Thursday, July 6, 2023, INEC discussed various matters, including the progress made in prosecuting electoral offenders.

In a previous meeting held with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, the Commission confirmed the receipt of case files from the Nigeria Police.

These files contained investigations into alleged electoral offences committed during the 2023 General Election, including the case involving Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the REC deployed to Adamawa State.

The Commission reassured the public that immediate action would be taken regarding the matter. As stipulated by Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, offenses committed under the Act can be tried in a Magistrate Court, a High Court of the State where the offense occurred, or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Additionally, Section 145(2) of the Act specifies that the prosecution under the Act shall be carried out by legal officers of the Commission or appointed legal practitioners.

After carefully reviewing the case file received 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 in Yola, according to the statement.

Okoye also mentioned that INEC is collaborating with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to ensure the diligent prosecution of other cases.