Lawyers encourage Hudu, Suspended Adamawa REC to hide —INEC

By Abiodun OBA

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, through its counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, has alleged that lawyers have been encouraging Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Adamawa State, to hide.

Counsel to INEC, Rotimi Jacobs, said while fielding questions from newsmen at Adamawa High Court: “The defendant has been evasive. You can’t get him or arrest him. He is hiding. The lawyers have been encouraging him to do so.”

Jacobs however, said the police must arrest him, and urged them to intensify efforts for the arrest and his prosecution.

The counsel had earlier informed Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan, that the prosecution failed to arraign Hudu Ari due to inability to arrest him.

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, through its counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told Adamawa High Court.

Recall, INEC had dragged Hudu to court on a 6-count charge bordering on announcement of false electoral result, violating the oath of neutrality, breach of duty, disorderly conduct at election, inciting disturbance and impersonating a public servant.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, who announced appearance for the prosecution, informed the court that the defendant had refused invitation from the investigative police officer, IPO, upon service of hearing notice.

However, he asked the court to adjourn the matter to enable police effect his arrest for arraignment and trial, or alternatively bring application for the court to issue warrant of arrest against him.

The IPO, who also introduced himself in court as CSP, Moses Jolujdo, confirmed to the court that the defendant and his surety had been evading arrest.

The Presiding Judge, Benjamin Manji Lawan, granted the application and subsequently adjourned the case to November 22, 2023, for the arraignment.