The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has filed a six count charge against the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Alhaji Yunusa Ari at the Adamawa State High Court, Yola.
A statement signed by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye states that the charges was brought on him after a review of the case file from the Police which established a prima facie case against him.
It states that the trial will commence next week and that the Commission is working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the diligent prosecution of other cases.
At the meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) two days ago, 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, Alhaji Hudu Yunusa Ari.
“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. “
