GUBER POLL: HUDU FACES ADAMAWA HIGH COURT ON 6- COUNT CHARGE

Following an establishment of prima facie case against the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Adamawa State, Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has filed 6-count charge against him before Adamawa High Court of Justice.

Already, the High Court of Justice has fixed Wednesday, 12th July, 2023 for commencement of trial of the suspended REC Hudu.

This is contained in press release issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.

He stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday 6th July, 2023, and discussed, among other issues, the progress with the prosecution of electoral offenders.

"Having reviewed the case file from the Police which established a prima facie case against Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the Commission has filed a six-count charge against him at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola. Consequently, the Court has fixed Wednesday 12th July 2023 for commencement of trial". Okeye said.

He explained that Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, provided that 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.

According to him, the Section 145(2) of the Act further provides that a prosecution under the Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission, or any legal practitioner appointed by it.

Barr. Festus Okoye said that the Commission is working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the diligent prosecution of other cases.