The Independent Electoral National Commission (INEC) has said that the whereabouts of the suspended Adamawa state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari is unknown to the commission.
The chief spokesman of the Electoral Umpire, Festus Okoye, made this know on Friday at a press briefing.
“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.
The INEC spokesman added that the electoral body cannot declare Yunusa-Ari wanted because it is the duty of the Nigeria Police force to declare him wanted if he is on the run.
After suspending the REC, INEC reported his case to President Muhammadu Buhari, who on Thursday approved Ari’s suspension, pending the completion of an investigation by the Inspector General of Police on the actions of the REC during the Supplementary election in Adamawa State.
The INEC National Commissioner said that the Commission had received a report from the Inspector General of Police and has commenced the process of prosecuting the controversial Adamawa REC.
“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.
He also added, “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.”
