The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested the suspended Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, over his conduct during the governorship rerun election in the state.
In a statement on Tuesday, spokesperson of the Police Force, Muyiwa Adejobi said Yunusa-Ari was being questioned by the police.
The statement said, Ari who was “arrested by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team in Abuja on Tuesday 2nd May, 2023, is currently in police custody and is being grilled to ascertain the motives and motivations behind his alleged improper actions during the supplementary elections in Adamawa state.”
The statement said, “In addition, other officials and individuals culpable in the saga are being interrogated by the team.
“The inspector-general of police has given clear assurance that every individual involved/indicted in the matter will be apprehended and investigated in line with the provisions of the law for possible prosecution.
“The inspector-general of police has assured the public of the commitment of the force to ensure that justice is served in this case and that all guilty parties are brought to justice.”
Yunusa-Ari, had on April 16, stirred up controversy when he declared, Aisha Binani Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election, even when the collation of the results was yet to be completed.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the announcement null and void and summoned the REC to its headquarters in Abuja.
The electoral umpire subsequently wrote to the police to prosecute Yunusa-Ari over the electoral infraction.
Yunusa-Ari’s suspension was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 20, 2023, pending the completion of police investigations.
An investigation panel set up on the incident invited the suspended REC.
Yunusa-Ari had declared on Monday that he does not regret announcing Binani as the winner of the election.
He also denied that he was not offered money to make the announcement.
