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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it has no information on the whereabouts of the suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barr. Hudu Ari.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter and Information Education, Festus Okoye, made the disclosure while speaking on Channels Television programme, ‘Sunrise Daily,’ on Friday.
The announcement of the Adamawa State supplementary governorship election generated controversies after Ari announced All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Sen Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, aka Binani, as the winner of the poll while collation was yet to be concluded.
The commission subsequently summoned Ari to its headquarters in Abuja.
The electoral umpire also reported Ari to President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, who approved his suspension, until the completion of an investigation by the Inspector General of Police on the case.
Speaking on whether Ari has been questioned, Okoye said: “We don’t know where he is, because after this particular incident, the commission wrote to 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.”
Okoye added that it is the responsibility of the police to declare Ari wanted for failing to report to the commission or answer its calls.
“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.
“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,” he said.