COURT MAY ISSUE WARRANT OF ARREST AGAINST HUDU

Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola may issue warrant of arrest against the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari. News Platform.

Barr. Hudu who was to be arraigned before the State High Court in Yola, on Wednesday 12th July, 2023, had obtained an order restraining the prosecution and the court from proceeding with his trial.

The order, which was issued by Federal High Court in Abuja, restrained the prosecution and the court from taking any  action against him pending the hearing of the motion on notice slated for the 18th July, 2023.

When the matter came up for mention at the State High Court on Wednesday, Counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) informed the court that Hudu had obtained an order restraining the them from arraigning him. 

Rotimi informed the court that they had read on newspaper that the defendant had obtained an order restraining both prosecution and the High Court from proceeding with his trial.

He said that the alleged offences as preferred against him are serious offences but it appears the defendant is running away considering his decision to seek protection from another court of concurrent jurisdiction.

The presiding judge, Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan said that the state High Court had received an order issued by the Court in Abuja, and does not want to act until it elapses or how events will play out by next week.

Fielding questions from newsmen, Rotimi (SAN) observed that the Supreme Court had made series pronouncements on such issues, saying that the court has the same jurisdiction with that of the state and cannot issue such order.

According to him, the electoral offences are clearly within the jurisdiction of the State High Court and that if anyone has an issue, he should come to court and raise it.

He said, " if we remove the hurdles, definitely the court will issue warrant of arrest against him. It is within the power of the court to do so".