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The police on Monday grilled Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hudu Yunusa-Ari and two National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over their roles in the April 15 supplementary governorship poll fiasco.
No fewer than seven others have also been invited by the police for interrogation.
Following President Muhamadu Buhari’s directive that the police should probe the declaration of Hajia Aishatu Dahiru Binani as governor-elect by the REC while the collation of results was ongoing, the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba, constituted the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team unit of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) into an investigative panel.
The team is headed by Jolugbo Moses, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).
Before presenting himself at the force headquarters in Abuja, BBC Hausa Service aired an interview with Yunusa-Ari where he said he did not regret his action, which has been generally decried by Nigerians because he usurped the function of the Returning Officer, who is authorised by law to collate and make a declaration of a winner in an election.
Contrary to the claim by the police that the suspended REC was arrested, it was learnt from family sources that he voluntarily surrendered.
Yunusa-Ari responded to an invitation from the police by showing up yesterday ahead of the Friday appointment given to him.
A senator drove the suspended REC to the Force Headquarters at about 11 am, the family source added.
REC Yunusa-Ari is being questioned by the police for:
• causing a breach of peace;
• impersonation; and
• violation of oath of office.
It was learnt that all those invited were undergoing grilling last night.
Yunusa-Ari was invited via a letter dated April 27, signed by the Head of the National Central Bureau, AIG Garba Baba Umar.
The letter reads: “This Bureau is investigating a case of conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, violation of oath of neutrality, impersonating a collation/returning officer, disobedience to lawful order/directive, impersonation and announcing false governorship result of the just-concluded Adamawa State Governorship Supplementary Elections of 15 April 2023 in which your name featured prominently
“In view of the above, you are hereby requested to report at the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja office, Police Force Headquarters, Shehu Shagari Way, Central Area, Abuja to interview the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja on Friday, May 5th 2023 at 1000hrs.
“On arrival, you are to contact the team leader, CSP Jolugbo Moses.”
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in Abuja said other fingered officials were undergoing interrogation.
The statement did not reveal the identities of the other officials.
