Adamawa INEC REC, Yunusa Ari granted bail

Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, has been granted bail after being investigated by the police for prematurely declaring Aisha Binani of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the state’s gubernatorial election. Two other Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commissioners and another official who were also being interrogated were also released on administrative bail.

However, the bail came with certain conditions, including depositing their passports and limiting their movements within the Federal Capital Territory. During the three-day interrogation, the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba, personally questioned the REC, national commissioners, and others. Yunusa-Ari reportedly exchanged words with the INEC commissioners over allegations that he fled and was incommunicado.

The investigation focused on allegations of bribery during the April 15 Supplementary election, after which the REC declared the APC candidate, Ayisetu Dahiru Binani, as the governor-elect, usurping the Returning Officer’s role in the collation of results. A senator acted as a surety for Yunusa-Ari during the bail hearing.

According to a source;

“Our investigators have interacted with the REC, some INEC National Commissioners and other officials undergoing interrogation. We have asked the affected officials to submit their traveling documents. 

“The REC promised to drop his passport at the Force Headquarters yesterday. And if it is necessary to arraign any of the officials after the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, it will be easier.

“In line with the law and international best practices, the police have granted bail to the REC, the National Commissioners and all officials under investigation. They have been released accordingly. The bail surety for the REC is a Senator.

“But all those quizzed got an advisory to limit their media visibility for unfettered investigation. With the involvement of the IGP and his management team, you can determine the commitment attached to this case. Granting bail will not hamper investigation. 

“There were allegations and counter-allegations on nocturnal meetings, choice dinner and bribery scandal during the elections. Detectives will look into this dimension of influence peddling and bribery. The scope of investigation will be widened.“