The Adamawa State High Court in Yola informed the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, on Wednesday that he was in the Niger Republic. The REC has since fled into hiding.
Recall that Ari was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria in the recent past due to his unruly actions in announcing Aishatu Binani, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, as the winner of the Adamawa gubernatorial election while the poll was still open.
Buhari ordered an investigation into the situation by the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
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However, Hudu is reported to have fled into hiding before writing a letter to the police.
Dr. Suleiman Usman (SAN), Hudu’s attorney, reportedly informed the court during today’s session, presided over by Hon. Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan, that he was aware of his client’s whereabouts.
Usman revealed to the judge that Hudu is married to two women, one of whom lives in Nigeria’s Bauchi State and the other in the Niger Republic.
As a result, he mentioned that the defendant is currently in the Niger Republic with his other wife, and he added that he is prepared to pick up the service for his client.
On the other hand, the court sharply objected to the procedure, stating that the defendant had to be physically served.
In light of this, the attorney who represented Abel Oziokor Esq. pledged to present Hudu in court.
Additionally, he begged the court to give them an extension so they could bring him forward.
Before this, O. A. Atolabi, the prosecution’s counsel, and F. T. Ekyaan filed a request asking the court to issue an arrest warrant for Hudu.
In response to the request, the judge stated that since Hudu’s attorneys had already shown up and given the court their word that they would present Hudu on the next date, there was no need to issue an arrest warrant. The matter was therefore postponed to Wednesday, December 6, 2023, for arraignment.
