The investigation panel set up by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has invited the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, Barrister Hudu Yunusa-Ari, for questioning.
He is being invited over his conduct during the 15th April governorship election in Adamawa State.
Yunusa-Ari declared Senator Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) as the winner when the collation of the results was yet to be completed. That stirred controversy and anger in the state and elsewhere.
Consequently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the announcement null and void and summoned the REC to its headquarters in Abuja.
The electoral umpire also wrote to the Nigeria Police Force to prosecute Yunusa-Ari over the electoral infraction.
This was followed by the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari of the REC’s suspension, pending the completion of an investigation by the police. A day later, INEC said it was not aware of the whereabouts of Yunusa-Ari.
The IGP subsequently asked an investigative team to work in collaboration with INEC on the matter.
The investigative panel invited Yunusa-Ari to show up at the force headquarters in Abuja. The panel is chaired by Head of Interpol in Nigeria, Assistant Inspector-General Garba Umar.
Confirming the invitation of the REC on Monday, the spokesperson of Force Criminal Investigation Department, Funmi Eguaoje stated that he would appear before officials of INEC, the Department of States Services, and NPF.
Eguaoje said: “There was a committee constituted to investigate, which included INEC and police. The AIG Umar is the chairman of that committee.
“He (Yunusa-Ari) was not invited by police or Interpol so to say. He was invited by the committee. The committee comprises officials of DSS, NPF, and INEC”.
