Adamawa civil coup: Court issues arrest warrant for rogue REC, Hudu Yunusa

Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan of the Adamawa State High Court in Yola issued a bench warrant for the arrest of renegade REC Hudu Yunusa Ari. Ari did not appear in court for his arraignment on charges stemming from a failed civilian coup in which he fraudulently declared Aishatu Dahiru, the APC candidate for governor in 2023, the winner during the results collation.

Following a motion and appeal by his lawyer, the judge deferred the arraignment of the rogue REC, Hudu Yunusa Ari, on 10-count charges centering on false declaration of an illegal result during collation until November 6, 2023.

After hearing from both parties, Justice Bamaiyi expressed worry at the last sitting that the defence counsel appeared to be attempting to deceive the court.

The judge ruled that the accused could not be excused from appearing in court and deferred the arraignment until November 6. Hudu Yunusa, the rogue REC, was, however, absent from Monday’s sessions.

Jacob, who notified the court that the matter had been scheduled for arraignment, recalled that the defendants had been absent at earlier hearings on October 23 and November 6, 2023.

“Your lordship will recall that this subject came up for arraignment on October 23, 2023, and the defendant lawyer appeared for the defendants and asked with my lord for adjournment until November 6, 2023, to allow him to produce the defendant.”

After hearing all of the reasons, Justice Benjamin ruled that the defendant must enter a plea before any application may be filed.

“The notice of preliminary objection filed in this case, as pointed to by the defence counsel, challenges the court’s jurisdiction.” According to the legislation, jurisdictional questions can be brought at any moment during the proceedings.

However, the court believes that the issue of jurisdiction should not be used to prolong the administration of justice.

The record of this court shows that an endeavour is being made to conceal the defendant from arraignment in this matter under a variety of guises.

In the circumstances, the court holds that defendants must enter his pleas and then file their objections, which the court must evaluate simultaneously with the substantive issues and the ruling,” he said.

“The application for bench warrant succeeds, and this case is further delayed until November 22, 2023 for arraignment,” Justice Benjamin ruled.