The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa state, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday, said Yunusa-Ari is currently being grilled in police custody.
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Yunusa-Ari, was arrested over his conduct during the governorship election in Adamawa state.
The statement reads, “Barrister Ari, who was arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on Tuesday 2nd May, 2023, is currently in police custody and is being grilled to ascertain the motives and motivations behind his alleged improper actions during the supplementary elections in Adamawa state.”
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby confirms the arrest of Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who was alleged to have announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress winner of the gubernatorial elections during the recently concluded supplementary elections
“This followed calls for his arrest and investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the basis of alleged impropriety in the course of supplementary gubernatorial polls in the State.
“Barrister Ari was arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on Tuesday 2nd May, 2023.
“He is currently in Police custody and is being grilled to ascertain the motives and motivations behind his alleged improper actions during the supplementary elections in Adamawa State”.
“In addition, other officials and individuals culpable in the saga are being interrogated by the team.
“The Inspector-General of Police has given clear assurance that every individual involved/indicted in the matter will be apprehended and investigated in line with the provisions of the law for possible prosecution.
“The Inspector-General of Police has assured of the commitment of the Force to ensuring that justice is served in this case and that all guilty parties are brought to justice.”
However, the suspended REC, says he has no regrets announcing Senator Aishatu Dahiru Binani as the winner of the governorship election in the state.
He denied allegations that he collected a bribe of N2 billion to make the declaration.
In an interview with BBC Hausa on Tuesday, Hudu said he did not regret his decision to announce the results while collation was yet to be completed.
Hudu said the law gave him the authority to announce the results, adding that he was ready to hand himself over to the Nigeria Police who invited him.
“I did not solicit a single kobo as a bribe from Fintiri or Binani. I know collecting bribes is forbidden. I swear it is a mere allegation. What will I do with N2bn? I also saw that on social media,” he added.
Asked whether he had regretted his action, Hudu said, “I told you I have no regrets whatsoever, when you do something in accordance with law, there are no regrets. On the police invitation, I must honour it, l never hide,” he said.
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