- When he was first expected at the court about two weeks ago, on November 6, he had simply kept off, with the prosecution complaining that he could not be reached.
- He had earlier been dragged to court by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to answer questions regarding his conduct as the Adamawa State REC during the governorship election in the state.
The Adamawa State High Court was notified on Wednesday that suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hudu Yunusa Ari had fled to the Niger Republic.
Ari was suspended while former President Muhammadu Buhari was in office for announcing Aishatu Binani, the All Progressives Congress candidate for governor of Adamawa, as the winner of the governorship race too soon.
On Buhari’s orders, the case was sent for investigation to the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
But before sending a letter to the police, Ari supposedly went into hiding.
During Wednesday’s court proceedings, presided over by Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan, Ari’s lawyer, Dr. Suleiman Usman (SAN), informed the court that he knew his client’s whereabouts.
Usman stated that Hudu has two wives, one residing in Bauchi State, Nigeria, and the other in Niger Republic.
He claimed that the defendant is currently with his wife in Niger Republic and expressed willingness to accept service on his behalf.
The court, however, rejected Usman’s request.
Usman, alongside Abel Oziokor Esq, promised to produce Hudu in court and requested an adjournment to facilitate his appearance.
Counsel to the prosecution, O. A. Atolabi, appearing alongside F. T. Ekyaan, applied for a warrant of arrest against Hudu.
The judge declined the request, noting that Hudu’s counsel had appeared and assured the court of his presence at the adjourned date.
The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, December 6, 2023, for arraignment.
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