The embattled Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hudu Yunusa Ari, has fled Nigeria to the Niger Republic, his counsel informed the Adamawa State High Court on Wednesday.
The controversial REC had declared Aishatu Binani, the candidate of All Progressives Congress, as governor-elect of Adamawa State, while the collation of results was still ongoing. He was subsequently suspended. Thereafter, he went into hiding and wrote a letter to the police that were investigating his action.
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During Wednesday’s proceedings, presided over by Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan, Ari’s lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Suleiman Usman, informed the court that he knew his client’s whereabouts.
Usman said Hudu has two wives: one is resident in Bauchi State, Nigeria, while the other lives in Niger Republic. He claimed that his client is currently with his wife in Niger and expressed willingness to accept service on his behalf.
The court, however, rejected Usman’s request. Usman, alongside Abel Oziokor, promised to produce Hudu in court and requested an adjournment to facilitate his appearance. Counsel for 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 was adjourned until Wednesday, December 6, 2023.