Hudu Yunusa Ari’s Whereabout Unknown- INEC

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The whereabout of suspended Adamawa state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa Ari is unknown, the Independent National Electoral Commission has said.

Recall that Ari announced the supplementary governorship election results in Adamawa State on Sunday while collation was yet to be concluded.

Few minutes later, the Commission’s headquarters, Abuja nullified the result as declared by him, and consequently invited to Abuja.

Later after suspended the collation continued and concluded the process. Finally the incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri was officially declared winner of the election on Tuesday.

On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a probe of all the security operatives involved in the illegal act.

INEC National Commissioner Festus Okoye who appeared on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, April 21, said;

“We don’t know where he is because, after this particular incident, the Commission wrote him and also called him on the phone. He never returned any of the calls, he never answered any of the calls.

“We asked him to report to the Commission on Sunday we didn’t see him, we asked him to report on Monday we didn’t see him. So up till this moment, he has not reported and we don’t know his whereabouts.”

Asked if he thinks Ari will be declared wanted for failing to report to the Commission or answer its calls, Okoye said that is the responsibility of the Nigerian Police.

He said;

“Well, that is the responsibility of the Nigerian police. If they feel that his presence is absolutely needed during the investigation and he is nowhere to be found, it is their prerogative and discretion to declare him wanted.”

Okoye also said that the Commission has received a report from the Inspector General of Police and has commenced the process of prosecuting the controversial Adamawa REC.

The INEC National Commissioner said;

“We wrote to the Inspector General of Police and Secretary to the Government of the Federation. We have received a response from the Inspector General of Police and they have already commenced an investigation.

“My understanding is that the moment the Inspector General of Police concludes the investigation regarding the REC and every other individual who is involved and a prima facie case is established against the REC the file will be made available to the commission and the commission will begin prosecution of the REC.”