Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, mni, the controversial Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force.
CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, confirmed his arrest in a statement issued Tuesday.
CSP Adejobi stated that Yunusa-Ari is being questioned about his actions during the Adamawa State supplementary elections.
It was recalled that the REC declared Aisha Binani, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of the gubernatorial election while collation was still in progress.
INEC Headquarters quickly condemned the REC’s action and suspended results collation.
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PDP’s Umar Fintiri was eventually declared the winner of the Adamawa gubernatorial elections.
The developments were followed by calls for an investigation into the REC.
However, Force Spokesman Adejobi stated that “other officials and individuals culpable in the saga are being interrogated.”
“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 declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress winner of the gubernatorial elections during the recently concluded supplementary elections following calls for his arrest and investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the basis of alleged impropriety in the conduct of the elections,” Adejobi said.
“Barrister Ari, who was arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023, is currently in Police custody and is being grilled to ascertain the motives and motivations behind his alleged improper actions during the Adamawa State supplementary elections.”
“In addition, the team is questioning other officials and individuals involved in the saga.”
“The Inspector-General of Police has given clear assurance that every individual involved/indicted in the matter will be apprehended and investigated in accordance with the provisions of the law for possible prosecution,” the Force Spokesman added.
“The Inspector-General of Police has assured the Force’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served in this case and that all guilty parties are brought to justice,” the statement says.
However, in response to earlier reports of arrest, sources close to the embattled REC stated that Yunusa-Ari voluntarily accepted the invitation from the police.
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“Adamawa REC reported to police voluntarily and was not arrested.”
“The police invited him for questioning on May 5th, and he went voluntarily on May 2nd.”
“He was driven to Force Headquarters by a Senator,” said the source.
According to a letter released by his relatives, Yunusa Ari was actually invited by the police.
