Adamawa civilian coup: Court orders INEC to prosecute rogue REC Hudu Yunusa Ari

The motion filed by Senator Aishatu Binani Dahiru, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Adamawa State, seeking to block the prosecution of the rogue REC,Hudu Yunusa-Ari, was dismissed by a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday.

Hudu had illegally declared Binani the winner of the governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), however, overturned the declaration and reinstated the current governor, Umar Fintiri.

The court had previously issued an interim order directing INEC, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Inspector General of Police to halt the prosecution of Yunusa-Ari.

The interim ruling comes after Binani filed an ex parte motion asking the court to rule on whether INEC could prosecute or arraign Yunusa-Ari while a tribunal hearing on the outcome of the gubernatorial election was taking place.

INEC claimed in a statement that police investigations had established a prima facie case against Yunusa-Ari.

Following that, the commission filed a six-count prosecution against the suspended rogue REC before the Adamawa State High Court in Yola.

However, Binani sought the court to temporarily restrain parties so that INEC could show reason why Yunusa-Ari, her star witness in the Adamawa gubernatorial election tribunal, should be prosecuted while the case was still underway.

In his verdict on Friday, however, Justice Donatus U. Okorowo lifted the interim injunction, stating, “There is no order of this court extending the lifespan of this order on status quo.”

Okorowo ruled that it was not permissible under the law for a plaintiff to seek a stay of proceedings in a court of coordinate jurisdiction from the Federal High Court.

He further stated that he lacked the authority to bind a court of coordinate jurisdiction.

“On the whole, the INEC objection is successful; this matter is dismissed,” Okorowo concluded.