The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the whereabouts of suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa State, Hudu Ari, is unknown following the controversy he ignited during the supplementary governorship election in the state.
Recall that Ari announced the supplementary governorship election results in Adamawa State on Sunday while collation was yet to be concluded.
INEC National Commissioner Festus Okoye who appeared on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, April 21, said:
“We don’t know where he is because, after this particular incident, the Commission wrote him and also called him on the phone. He never returned any of the calls, he never answered any of the calls.
“We asked him to report to the Commission on Sunday we didn’t see him, we asked him to report on Monday we didn’t see him. So up till this moment, he has not reported and we don’t know his whereabouts.”
Asked if he thinks Ari will be declared wanted for failing to report to the Commission or answer its calls, Okoye said that is the responsibility of the Nigerian Police.
He said: “Well, that is the responsibility of the Nigerian police. If they feel that his presence is absolutely needed during the investigation and he is nowhere to be found, it is their prerogative and discretion to declare him wanted.”
Okoye also said that the Commission has received a report from the Inspector General of Police and has commenced the process of prosecuting the controversial Adamawa REC.
The INEC National Commissioner said:
“We wrote to the Inspector General of Police and Secretary to the Government of the Federation. We have received a response from the Inspector General of Police and they have already commenced an investigation.
“My understanding is that the moment the Inspector General of Police concludes the investigation regarding the REC and every other individual who is involved and a prima facie case is established against the REC the file will be made available to the commission and the commission will begin prosecution of the REC.”
