Abuja, Nigeria – The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Olukayode Egbetokun, to intensify efforts towards the arrest and prosecution of Malam Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the suspended INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State.
The opposition party emphasized that arresting and prosecuting Yunusa-Ari would comply with an earlier court order. The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, made this appeal during a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.
Yunusa-Ari was suspended for attempting to usurp the powers of the state returning officer by declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Aishatu Binani, the winner of the April 15, 2023, Adamawa governorship election. This declaration was made while the collation of the election results was still incomplete.
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Ologunagba described Yunusa-Ari’s action as a civilian coup and an attempt to subvert Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
On May 21, 2024, the High Court of Justice of Adamawa State, No. 9, Yola Division issued a warrant for Yunusa-Ari’s arrest. The court ordered the IGP to apprehend and produce Yunusa-Ari to answer the charges against him. The IGP’s office received the court order on May 23.
Since his removal, Yunusa-Ari has been on the run, seemingly forgetting that “time does not run against the State in criminal matters,” Ologunagba noted.
He further stated that the delay in prosecuting Yunusa-Ari poses a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law.
“The failure of the Nigerian police so far to apprehend and bring Yunusa-Ari to justice is capable of creating a bad precedent and encouraging other public officers to act with impunity. There is a tendency for them to behave as if there are no consequences for acts contrary to law and their Oath of Office,” Ologunagba said.
The PDP urged the IGP to comply with the court order, immediately locate, arrest, and bring Yunusa-Ari before the court for prosecution.
“This is especially as there are allegations and apprehensions in the public space that Yunusa-Ari has perfected plans to escape from the country and evade trial. The PDP insists that Yunusa-Ari must be made to face the full wrath of the law for his assault against our democracy,” Ologunagba added.
