The Independent National Electoral Commission said suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari has gone into hiding, with his whereabouts unknown to the electoral body.
Yunusa-Ari’s infamous misconduct by announcing Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani of the Peoples Democratic Party as winner of Adamawa State governorship poll while results were being collated against his mandate as a REC caused him suspension by INEC, prior to which he was beaten black and blue by supporters of the eventual winner, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily disclosed that the embattled REC declined invitation to report to INEC Abuja headquarters over his imprudence and is in concealment.
“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,” Okoye said.
He added that the business of bringing Yunusa-Ari to justice is that of the police, saying, “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.
“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.”
