June 30, (THEWILL) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it will “soon” take action on the case of the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, following the conclusion of Investigation by the Police.
Festus Okoye, the Commission’s Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this on Thursday, when he featured on Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari had, on April 20, approved the suspension of Yunusa-Ari following the controversy that trailed the April 15 supplementary election in Adamawa State.
Yunusa-Ari had stirred controversy after he declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Aisha Binani Dahiru, as the winner of the Adamawa State governorship election with results in only 10 out of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state collated by the Commission.
While INEC voided his declaration, former President Buhari had directed investigation of his action following his suspension.
Speaking on Thursday, Okoye said the Commission has sufficient evidence to make a case against Yunusa-Ari.
He said, “I am aware that the police have concluded investigations and I am aware that in the next few weeks, Nigerians will be informed of what will happen.
“Under the law, it is the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute him (Ari) if a prima facie case has been made out against him.”
When asked whether INEC has enough evidence to establish a case against Yunusa-Ari, the spokesman added: “Yes.”
Okoye said the police and the Commission were in talks during the probe of Yunusa-Ari, adding that a decision would be made “very soon.”
“There has been some level of interface between the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Commission was involved in some of the processes leading to the investigation. Very soon, the Commission will take action relating to the Adamawa REC,” he said.
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