The suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, who is currently being probed by the police, has had his passport seized, as part of preconditions for his administrative bail, while he has also been restricted to the Federal Capital Territory.
Our correspondent gathered that a senator stood surety for Yunusa-Ari who was interrogated and detained for three days at the Force Headquarters.
Also released are two commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission and other officials undergoing interrogation at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, in connection with the controversy surrounding the April 15 supplementary election in Adamawa.
The INEC commissioners and other officials under probe were also mandated to deposit their passports, and are currently restricted to Abuja, while on administrative bail.
The indicted officials, including Yunusa-Ari, were grilled by the Police Election Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Team headed by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and head of Interpol, Nigeria, Garba Umar, and other members of the Police Management Team, including the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba.
It was gathered that the IG during the session queried Yunusa-Ari and others on allegations of bribery during the April 15 supplementary election wherein the suspended REC declared the All Progressives Congress’ candidate, Aisha Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, as Governor-elect, while collation of results was yet to be concluded.
“The suspended REC and other officials being probed have been granted administrative bail, and they’ve been released. The investigation team have interrogated the Yunusa-Ari and other suspects, and their passports have been deposited at the FHQ as part of the preconditions for their bail.
“During interrogation, the REC alleged that some INEC officials in Adamawa had midnight meetings with leaders of a particular political party, and allegedly took bribes to manipulate the election results. However, the IG and the investigation team agreed to investigate further,” a top source told our correspondent on Friday.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the investigation team lead, AIG Umar said he was out of the country.
“I’m currently out of the country, so I can’t say much about the matter. Kindly contact the Force PRO,” Umar said.
When contacted by our correspondent, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, also said he was not on seat, adding that he would inquire about the latest development and revert.
Adejobi said, “I’m currently not on seat, I’m in Lagos. But I’ll inquire about your findings, and get back to you.”
