The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the trial of suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa Ari has been fixed for July 12, 2023, in the State .
The commission which held its regular weekly meeting on Thursday said that following conclusion of police investigation, a prima facie case has been established against Ari and that his case file has been reviewed along 215 other electoral offenders handed over on Monday by the police , among other issues.
Recall that the commission had at its meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) confirmed the receipt of case files from the Nigeria Police prominent of which is the case involving the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) deployed to Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.
Barr Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement said :
“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.
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The Commission is collaborating with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which has offered a pro bono service for the diligent prosecution of other cases..
