By Joy Odor
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed filing a six-count charge against the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) deployed to Adamawa State, Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola.
The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye (Esq) made this known to newsmen in a press statement in Abuja on Thursday after the Commission regular weekly meeting on the progress with the prosecution of electoral offenders, among other issues.
Barrister Okoye informed that the Court has fixed Wednesday 12th July 2023 for commencement of Yunusa Ari trial and working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the diligent prosecution of other cases.
According to him, 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” he said.
It would be recalled that at the meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) two days ago on Tuesday 4th July 2023, the Commission confirmed the receipt of case files from the Nigeria Police following the conclusion of investigation into alleged electoral offences during the 2023 General Election, including the one involving the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) deployed to Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari.
The INEC National Commissioner therefore assured Nigerians of immediate action on the matter.
